By Community Correspondent: Hannah Davies

The planning application to build a new Tesco supermarket in Ashtead high street was strongly opposed by local residents last year with over 6000 signatures forming a petition launched by the local organisation, “SAVE” (Save Ashtead’s Village Environment).

In March 2009, locals were thrilled to see Mole Valley’s Planning Committee reject the Tesco Planning Application on the grounds of it being too dominating and threatening to local businesses. Furthermore, it would cause too much traffic congestion on the local road network which would extend on to the nearby A24 junction, making it dangerous to pedestrians. The proposed extension of the car park next to Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall would add greatly to this as well as creating noise, therefore being an inconvenience to local residents.

On the other hand, Tesco claims that ‘a store of this size will enable people to undertake a full food shop in Ashtead’ which will attract customers outside the area who will have to travel by car (Ref. Tesco’s “Planning Statement” by G.L. Hearn para.5.16). This suggests that the higher number of visitors may be encouraged to shop in the other stores on offer in the High Street, making it beneficial to local businesses and creating a thriving and lively village centre.

Nevertheless, we cannot avoid the fact that the 6000 locals signed to petition to refuse Tesco’s application and will no doubt be happy to hear that they have succeeded in their aim.

However, due to the fact that Tesco still owns the site, it still remains bare and undeveloped and has been for over 3 years. After the relief and jubilation has worn off, the residents of Ashtead are beginning to wonder what the site will eventually be used for.

A resident of nearby Woodfield Lane says: ‘It was wonderful to hear that Tesco’s plan had been rejected but now it’s just an unattractive building site’.

No further news has been heard about the development of this ‘building site’ but at the moment it’s future it remains ominous as Tesco are still determinedly holding onto it. There is even the possibility that Tesco now may be forced to sell the land to developers who will try to use it for purposes that the people of Ashtead like even less than a supermarket.