Potential catchment and Local Centres

This image shows the catchment area for the Mega Tesco based on a 10 minute drive (travelling at 15 mph). Unlike the map included in the planning application, provided by the applicant's consultant; this one shows local centres in the area. These will be adversely affected by a huge shop which will sell everything from food to toys, white goods, DVDs, books, electrical goods etc. In 2006 the planning inspector refused permission for an 88,095 sq. ft store and said:

"local shops cater well for the needs of those shoppers who, in particular do not have their own means of transport. These shops are a valuable aid to social inclusion. In this respect it seems to me that the shops at Gorse Hill, the Quadrant and along Ayres Road would be particularly vulnerable to the effects of a large store” (p. 10)

The current application is for a larger store with a higher sales area for comparison goods. We cannot therefore see how this application can be allowed.

If you haven't already objected, please do so before 21st January. Visit the No Mega Tesco website for letters you can tweek to make your own. You can email the letter as well as post it.

How Big, How tall?

Its hard to imagine the scale of the proposed store. There are some like it around - if you travel to Altrincham you can see a Tesco Extra there that is on stilts. On Chester Road there is less space for parking around the store so it is likely to loom over everything closeby much more. Size wise, the Altrincham store is smaller than what is proposed for Chester Road, yet when you look at this view from the air (taken from google maps) you can see it is vast. Compare it to the length and width of surrounding streets of terraced housing and imagine a building 13.5 metres high which is larger than this.

The proposed Chester Road store is 75% larger than this one - so imagine that. If you know anyone who says they just want a supermarket in their area and they don't care how big it is - do try to impress on them just how vast it will be.


There is also a neat aerial shot of the Altrincham store here

We have until 21st January to send in letters of objection. You can get lots of information and letters to use to base your letter on at the No Mega Tesco website.

Don't delay - write today!

Why are supermarkets like buses....... ? Because you wait for ages and then two come along at once

As if an application to build a Mega Tesco weren't enough, now Sainsbury's are getting in on the act in North Trafford. They have applied for planning permission for a store of approx 122,000 sq ft on the site of the old Homebase at White City. This is only half a mile away from the proposed Tesco site.

We are opposed to this store for many of the same reasons as the Tesco, but unfortunately, as there is no 'change of use' for the site (from one retail use to another), we don't feel we have as good a chance of stopping it.

We will continue to focus our energy on fighting the Tesco application, but we do encourage you to write to Trafford planning department and object to the Sainsburys as well, which could have an equal impact on shops in surrounding areas.

Please do write and object as soon as possible using Planning application number 74483/FULL/2009