Milngavie Tesco battle enters a new phase
A REPORTER has been appointed to conduct the appeal by Tesco into the council's refusal of planning permission for a new two-storey supermarket in Milngavie.
The news is a blow to MP Jo Swinson and MSP Des McNulty who both asked for the Scottish Government to call in the appeal due to the volume of objections to the proposals from the local community.
Council officials on the planning committee recommended that Tesco's application for the demolition of the existing store and replacement with a two-storey car park alongside permission for a new-build two-storey supermaket at street level on Woodburn Way - be granted.
However, a majority of councillors rejected the recommendation and voted to refuse the application, resulting in an appeal being lodged by the superstore chain.
The reporter appointed to hear and decide whether to uphold or dismiss the appeal is a former director of the National Trust for Scotland,
Trevor Croft is expected to hold a pre-inquiry meeting on October 28 to detail timescale for submissions and representations during the appeal process.
Jo Swinson said: "After four years as the Director of the National Trust, I hope the reporter will have sufficient regard for both our natural environment and our historic buildings to see that Tesco's plans cannot be allowed to go ahead.
"Independent consultants have already confirmed that the store's expansion would have a negative impact on the landscape and said that a full environmental impact assessment must be carried out.
"However, local people will be understandably skeptical, as our recent experience suggests that the Scottish Government would rather let developers have their way than protect our environment and listen to local communities.
"I do hope that Mr Croft will do right by the community and put a stop to Tesco's plans."
A spokesman for the Government said: "The reporter appointed by Scottish ministers to determine this appeal will consider all the evidence presented to him, whether in writing or at oral sessions, before making his decision."
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Weather for Milngavie
Friday 25 May 2012
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Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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