Tesco Express plans resubmitted

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UPDATED (SUN 26th JULY): Back in December Tesco withdrew their plans to replace the Essex Arms pub with a Express Store and flats. A few weeks ago the fences were taken down, and residents have complained that the building has been occupied by squatters.

Many people have questioned why Tesco allowed the site to become so run-down and such a haven for crime, rats, and now squatters.

We spoke to Tesco who promised to take action to remove the squatters. However they noted that once someone is in the property you have to serve notice of eviction, so it may take a while to get them out.

Tesco’s Louise Ford (Internal Town Planner) informed us that the Express store application has now been resubmitted (see below).
At first glance the difference from the withdrawn application appears to be 5 more 2 bedroom flats, as well an increase in height to four storeys. It also refers to a Flat conversion/New Build as opposed to the original plan which stated simply New Build.

Planning application registered: 16-07-2009 (View application)
Flat Conversion, New Build
A mixed use re-development. Construction of part four storey, part three storey building to provide a retail store (approx area 436 sq.m). use class A1 at ground floor and 19 residential units (17 x 2 bed & 2 x 3 bed) on upper floors. Provision of cycle & car parking.

Planning application withdrawn: 27-11-2008 (View application)
New Build
Redevelopment of site to provide (1) A1 foodstore (2) 14 residential units (12 x 2 bed and 2 x 3 bed) (3) 13 residential car parking spaces to rear (4) 10 shoppers car parking spaces to front.

UPDATE: Tesco phoned us back to talk through the delays and their plans for the site.
Regarding the withdrawal of the original plan they said new rules specifying a minimum percentage of social housing meant the scheme became uneconomical in the current climate.  As a result they increased the number of flats but made the majority of them “affordable” or shared ownership.

According to Tesco’s the squatters got in the building when they allowed the council to remove the fences to enable the renovation of the flats behind the Essex Arms.  They say the contractors evicted the squatters from the flats but they simply moved into the empty pub building. Tesco say efforts are underway to remove them from the site.

Timescales are vague at the moment but they hope to have approval within 3 months.

BAG asked if we could publish the plans on this site, to which Tesco initially asked if we were pro or anti the store but added they didnt think it would be a problem. We are yet to receive the plans.  Tesco say that other than the number of flats and the height there are no significant changes to the application (although as the  plans are  not available on the council website BAG cant confirm that).

For those that don’t know the location it’s about a 2 or 3 minute walk up Forest Road from Blackhorse Road tube (or about 0.1 miles). See the Google Street view below (strangely part of Forest Road has been removed from Street View)

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