Campaigners braced for fresh fight against Tesco's Tolworth plans

Campaigners are readying themselves for a fresh fight after Tesco submitted a revised plan for a giant superstore.

The supermarket chain bowed to public pressure and withdrew an application to develop on the old Toby Jug site in Tolworth in April 2010 – but submitted a revised plan this week. Surbiton and Kingston MP Edward Davey, who led the opposition to the last application, has been joined by campaigners and traders in vowing to fight the plans. Tesco said they have consulted with Transport for London on the impact on traffic, nearly halved the proposed size of the store and promised more than 250 jobs. But the proposal has failed to impress Mr Davey who said the scheme does not take into consideration the effect on the A3 roundabout.

The company argue the development would strengthen Tolworth’s position as a shopping destination, improve connections across Tolworth roundabout and attract new retailers. However, some traders fear loss of business and residents fear the creation of a “Tesco town”. Councillor Vicki Harris campaigned against the plans alongside groups such as No to Tesco in 2009. She will play no part in the decision making as she lives close to the site and is deemed to have a prejudicial interest, but has vowed to fight the application.

Reaction Traders along Tolworth Broadway were split over Tesco’s plans for a new superstore, with some struggling shop owners planning to campaign against the bid and others claiming it will attract new customers to the area. Najid Al Hashim, who runs Rose Cafe and Bakery, said he expected trade to drop off by about 20-30 per cent if the application was successful. And Siva Ruban, manager of Best Foods, said he would be writing to the council to protest.

However, Golsa Ameri, from Scope charity shop, disagreed and said a new supermarket and gym would be positive for Tolworth. Callum Ripley, manager of Charles Sirrell and Sons hardware and DIY store, also welcomed the news and said a new superstore would bring in extra customers.

People living close to the planned development fear their voices will be lost in the clamour from shoppers for a convenient new superstore.
Councillor Rolson Davies, who lives opposite the proposed site, criticised Tesco for trying to whip up support for the site from residents outside Tolworth. Christy Campbell, who lives in neighbouring Sunray Road, said shoppers would stop coming to the Broadway if Tesco was built.

Comments

This is excellent news, just what Tolworth needs. If ever there was an area that would benefit from a Tesco's it's the increasingly run down area we have to live in. Benefits are plentiful and will include the provision of a decent supermarket so residents will not have to drive to New Malden, Epsom etc. This will in turn actually reduce the traffic and pollution caused by the (at least) 6 mile round trip the vast majority of residents in Tolworth have to make to find a decent shop. Tesco's will provide long needed employment opportunities in the area. It will extend the 281 bus route to the station. It will provide an incentive for people to visit the Broadway rather than simply drive on through or past. It will provide a decent sized car park in the vicinity.

Regarding the suggestion traffic and pollution will be an issue - TFL suggested in their original response to the scheme that they estimate approx 95% of the traffic using the shop is actually already on the road (probably making longer journeys). Also I would ask - where were the traffic and pollution objections when London United buses set up a garage (2002) in Tolworth for 100 buses? When London concrete got planning permission (2008) for their site including up to 50 daily 10 tonne cement mixers and a 300 odd tonne daily (return) cargo train? Or even when the beloved M&S store expanded their floor space and car parking (2008). It was all quiet then....

As regards the impact on current retailers, there is absolutely nothing to stop current shoppers and those against Tesco from continuing their normal patterns of shopping - but a further increase of shops shutting, empty units, charity shops, cafe's and barbers which is fine of course, but note that this trend started long before Tesco's even owned the site. People reluctance to shop in Tolworth is deep rooted and more aligned to the distinct lack of a supermarket and inability to park in the area. Tesco's will improve on both these issues.

Living in the area and speaking to residents, parents at children's schools and in local groups I attend the overwhelming opinion I hear is positive towards the overall development of the site and a major company actually willing to invest in Tolworth. About time too, and investment that we as a community should embrace and work with the help to improve our community.

As a Berrylands resident of over 10 years I have to say that the number of times I have shopped in Tolworth is probably less than the fingers on one hand. There is absolutely nothing in Tolworth to bring anyone into the area - it is depressing and I tend to avoid it as much as I can. A new development and new store would breathe life into the area, and would be preferable to having to drive New Malden for shopping.

I am sure that a silent majority out there that is generally in favour of this proposal is getting drowned-out by self-interested special interest groups. Its time Ed Davey grew some cojones and backed the only good thing that has been proposed in Tolworth for years.

So you want to turn Tolworth into a one shop town. Talk about small minded. Good job you are not on the planning committee.

I have got no specific interest in this as I live the other side of Surbiton and the provision of supermarkets is very good, but I just can't understand this argument.

The vast majority of people who shop in these large Tesco stores just pull up in the car park, spend an hour or so in the store and then drive straight home. It might be ok for the area as a whole, but this will kill off what is left of the trade on the Broadway, certainly not add to it!

Hi, Tolworth is little more than a drive-through now. Realistically the only trade that will be affected will be Icelands or M&S. Most the other trade on the Broadway is not within Tesco's interest at all, and if the trends of any investigation into the decline of the Broadway over the past 20 years are to go by, most shopping is casual. I use the Broadway most weekends and I go to Sainsbury's (usually), and there is no reason why this pattern for me would change. Any current shoppers of the Broadway would be able to maintain their patterns too if they wish.

What is very interesting in this debate and has been from the start is the relatively few traders who object or protest about Tesco's. I think this is what bewilders the 'anti' campaign, to some degree, that a larger than expected number of traders speak in favour. The Comet article is a prime example.

Do you work for Tesco! TFL will support it because Tesco is building a bus shelter for the 281. Do you know how many tesco lorries will arrive daily to support their just in time stock system. Do you know that Tolworth has the highest incidence of COPD and breaks European law on emissions? Do you know that 662 flats were in the original proposal, then 562 flats and 889 parking spaces and now there are only 269 flats proposed and 202 car spaces plus a store 4749 sp metres and a 99 bedroom hotel and another 231 car spaces. Will they build another school? What happened to the leisure centre they proposed? As for previous objections 2008 is a long time ago before locals got involved in planning issues. Tesco say they will link to the Greenway project, of course now that Kingston has paid for it. I could go on but traffic issues on the Ewell Road are at critical levels during the rush hour.

Just get on and start building something before crazy Ed fills it with windmills.

I have just started to read the application (it will take a while as there are thousands of pages) and part is for full planning and part outline. We need housing but guess what is first, the superstore because "we want to deliver the jobs first" oh yes and make more profits and when they get time deliver the housing! Tesco has a huge store on the A3, an Express on the Ewell Road, is about to open a new store at 175 Hook Road and they will be building an Express store at Ellerton Road when the CNM flats get built. How many stores does Surbiton/Tolworth need? How many little shops will be lost? How will they manage the extra cars on the A3 roundabout? Isn't it interesting though that the new plans arrive AFTER the Greenway project has been agreed and now that the pedestrians will be able to get across the roundabout to their store!!. I bet TFL (who do not care a jot about the traffic conditions on the Ewell Road) will approve it because Tesco are going to build a bus shelter for the 281bus. Deals have been made and no doubt Kingston Planning have been involved in that. Wouldn't it be lovely if Tesco improved the road system first, built the houses and flats and THEN and only THEN IF there was a need for an extra supermarket build it last. AND PIGS WILL FLY!

I couldn't find the planning application - could you please post a link. Thanks

Tesco are a cancer on the British high street and need to be stopped.
This is only going to come from a change in attitude from the people who stupidly use them.

It reminds me of the old paper mill in Colliers Wood. Sainsbury's submitted plans for a megastore, leisure centre and low cost housing .
They built the megastore, and funnily enough, did not build the leisure centre or low cost housing.

I totally agree about Tesco. I never shop there myself, but I don't think that you can accuse people who do of being 'stupid'. It is a one-stop shop that sells reasonable quality items at very cheap prices.

You could go to independent stores and markets and get better items for the same or cheaper prices, but it would take you three times as long to do it, and who has the time to do that?

I prefer Waitrose as it is a much nicer experience and the fresh goods are better quality. However, I fully realise that I am paying a premium to shop there and that not everyone could or would be prepared to do that.

Maybe 'stupid' was a bit harsh. But I certainly think that people who shop are not thinking of the big picture.
I also shop in Waitrose for stuff. A price I am willing to pay. Easily the best shopping experience out there supermarket wise.

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