Objections raised over plans for Express store in Lutterworth Road, Aylestone
Part of a mechanics' workshop is set to be converted into a Tesco Express store, creating 25 jobs.
Graham Goode Motors Ltd wants permission to turn some of its site in Lutterworth Road, Aylestone, into a small supermarket.
Members of Leicester City Council's planning committee are set discuss the scheme on Thursday.
Planning officers have recommended they approve the scheme although seven letters of objection have been sent in, with concerns that the retail giant will take trade from existing businesses in Aylestone village and create traffic congestion.
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Aylestone ward councillor Adam Clarke said: "It's a curate's egg. In this climate we should be pleased about any employment that could come from this but at the same time Aylestone prides itself on its village feel and its independent shops.
"This would be the second Tesco Express in the ward – there is one already on Saffron Lane – and there will always be a concern about their proliferation.
"I would also be wary of there being another licensed premises in the area, but that is not a planning consideration.
"Graham Goode is also a long-established business in a prominent position."
A spokesman for the company's agent CGMS, said: "Graham Goode has made the decision to maintain a motor vehicle garage repair workshop building but condense the ancillary bike and car parts retail sales unit into a smaller part of the ground floor.
"This will leave the remaining part surplus to requirements." He said the new store would increase the range of shops in the area and add to the variety available to customers.
Aylestone resident Sarah Warren wrote to planning officers to oppose the scheme.
She said: "A local Tesco for Aylestone is definitely not a requirement of residents but a wish of Graham Goode Ltd and Tesco.
"Unless Tesco is willing to directly invest in the surroundings, this proposal should be refused as it will add nothing the quality of lives of resident."
Another objector, who lives in Lutterworth Road, said the extra traffic from customers and deliveries would cause more congestion and confusion on the already busy junction with Aylestone Road.
She said the village already had an Aldi and a Co-op and did not need another supermarket.
In 2008, German supermarket chain Lidl failed with an application to build a 1,264-square metre store on the site, which would have involved demolishing four nearby houses. The city council rejected it because it said it would be too big and residents would be disturbed by the car park.
Officers said the Tesco store would be much smaller and say it would not cause a greater disturbance than the existing repair shop.
The Mercury contacted Tesco but no one was available to comment.
Comments
by DBLeicester
Friday, September 21 2012, 1:59PM
“Can we possibly get any more Tescos crammed into this City? Why don't we convert the Town Hall or Jewry Wall, maybe we could ask SPS if his beloved factory could be renovated to accommodate a Tesco too! Enough is enough...!”
by Eastonian
Friday, September 21 2012, 1:04PM
“There won't be any additional traffic if folk don't shop there!!”
by the-market
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:42PM
“Just a moment...so it will be more traffic,due to both developements at the junction,not with standing the proposed bus lanes and cycle lanes.
Seems a classic council plan !”
by Graham_LE8
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:11PM
“I have to say as a regular traveller through Aylestone (mainly on the bus, but often by car) how much less congested the junction is since Graham Goode discontinued their fuel sales operation. I can see only this benefit being reversed once there's a convenience store in place, should the application be granted.
Add this to the extra vehicle movements when the doctors surgery/shops/residences are completed on the opposite corner, and you're looking at a whole different scenario regarding congestion and extra atmospheric and noise pollution...”