No Mega Tesco: the Planning Committee Approaches

A letter to Mike Morris of GONW (Government Office of the North West) from Trafford Green Party member Anne Power:

Dear Mr Morris
I write to draw your attention to a planning application ref:74393/FULL/2009. The application by Lancashire County Cricket Club and Tesco Ltd. seeks part full/part outline permission for redevelopment of Old Trafford Cricket Ground and the erection of a food superstore. It is the latter half of this description, for a large superstore of approximately 166,847 sq ft, that is the subject of my concern and therefore I am writing to request that GONW call in the application for consideration by the Secretary of State.
I live in Stretford. only one road away from the most delightful urban village of Chorlton cum Hardy where I am known by name wherever I shop. I chose to live in Chorlton when I came in 1998 as it is multi-cultural, not too "smart", not super rich and very friendly. I lived in Tooting in SW London for many years where the atmosphere was similar.
The biggest drawback here is the football traffic and if this gigantic Tescos is built the traffic will be congested 24 hours a day 7 days a week. At least I can arrange to dodge the match times. I am now disabled and need to use my car more than public transport which I regret but have no choice about. But as a pedestrian and resident the noise and pollution will be horrific, to say nothing of the fact that this"development" conflicts with national planning policy on important matters.
The proposals are contrary to both the provisions of Trafford's adopted UDP and the recently adopted Planning Policy Statement 4. As you may be aware, in 2006 a Planning Inspector upheld Trafford Council's decision to refuse to grant Tesco Ltd permission to build a store of 88,000 sq ft on this site on the basis of concerns over the impact of the proposals on town, district and local centres. Tesco Ltd already has permission to build a smaller store on the site (48,000 sq ft), granted approximately 5 years ago, which it has chosen not to implement. The current proposal will be 3.4 times larger and it is inconceivable that it would not have a significant and detrimental impact both within Trafford and in neighbouring boroughs.
The damage caused to smaller shops and existing centres by a store of this size will extend for several miles from the proposed site. Tesco states it aims to draw customers from within a 10 minute drive catchment area. For those with their own transport this covers Stretford, Chorlton, Sale, Whalley Range, Urmston, Salford, the city centre, and possibly Altrincham too.
For those without their own transport, links to this site are significantly over stated in the planning application and compare very poorly with Stretford town centre which is one of several centres that are already struggling and could suffer further if this store goes ahead. In no way can this development meet the 'town centre first principle' of PPS4 and it can only have a detrimental impact upon my local community, both in terms of the loss of local shops and increased traffic congestion.
I would be very grateful if you both acknowledge receipt of this email and keep me updated in respect of Government Office North West's involvement in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Anne Power
You can email  Mike Morris at michael.morris@gonw.gsi.gov.uk ahead of the Planning Committee meeting tomorrow, Thursday 11th March 2010, and join the No Mega Tesco campaigners outside of Trafford Town Hall at 5.30pm tomorrow.