Campaigner's joy at Civic Society attack on Tesco plan

Campaigners have described Bristol Civic Society’s attack on the plan to build a Tesco susperstore at Ashton Gate as “fantastic news”.

civicsociety The Evening Post reported this morning that the Society, an independent, voluntary organisation which attempts to influence major planning decisions, had described the supermarket plan for Bristol City FC’s stadium as “unwelcome and inappropriate”.

It went on to say that “the Tesco proposal is contrary to long-established national planning principles because it would create an imbalance of choice between superstores and small traders.

“North Street is becoming revitalised as an independent shopping centre of distinction. Another giant Tesco would be its death knell.

“The supermarket proposal is unwelcome and inappropriate. It must not be the price of a new stadium.”

Speaking to Bristol24-7, organiser of the Bedminster Residents Against Tesco Expansion (Berate) campaign Chris Uttley said: “We had not been in touch with them but there was a chap there from the Society who introduced himself but said that no position had been taken yet.

“But I completely agree with what the Society has now said. It accords completely with what the majority of residents think in the area.”

Bristol City FC have placed a planning application with the city council for its £65million new stadium in Ashton Vale, and the Tesco deal to redevelop the existing ground at Ashton Gate is key to its success.

The new stadium is also key to the city’s bid to become a host city for the World Cup in 2018. Bid leaders begin their tour of the country in Bristol next Monday and end in Newcastle on September 10.

The linking of the three issues has angered residents in Bedminster who feel they are being “bounced” into accepting the Tesco development plan.