Milngavie Tesco plan sparks store wars
OPPOSITION to proposals for a massive new superstore and two-storey car park in Milngavie is gathering momentum.
A website dedicated to blocking Tesco's expansion plans near Gavin's Mill has been set up and activists are rallying people to the cause, claiming the development is too large for the village.
As revealed in the Herald last November, when Tesco unveiled their plans for two new two-storey buildings they were branded "grotesque" by members of the Civic Trust.
Planning permission is being sought for a new two-floor store on the existing car park and a two-storey car park on the site of the present shop — with a bridge joining the two buildings.
This week it was confirmed that representations on the planning application — lodged with the council in July — will now be accepted until at least mid January, news which has delighted opponents of the proposals.
Eve Gilmore of Milngavie told the Herald: "I'm not usually a campaigner but I feel so strongly that this development is wrong for Milngavie that last week I took out a paid advert in the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald alerting people that time was running out for objections because I think many people haven't realised the carbuncle this scale of development would be on the historic Gavin's Mill site.
"I was delighted when I learned from the planning office that representations can be made on the proposals until mid January."
In recent weeks there have been several letters in the Herald expressing concern over the scale of the development.
Eve, who has always been a Tesco shopper, will be calling on Tesco's chief executive to scrap the superstore proposals and instead upgrade the existing store.
Claire Bremner, also of Milngavie, said that if anyone believes a greatly expanded Tesco would bring more benefits than costs to the local community and the local or global environment, they should think again.
She said: "We don't have to let this expansion happen — and we mustn't."
When Tesco first unveiled the superstore proposals MSP Des McNulty and the Civic Trust called on councillors and planners to be cautious over any permissions granted.
Mr McNulty said: "I am concerned that the doubling of the store will generate substantially increased traffic."
The Civic Trust was concerned about the impact the development would have on the landscape of Milngavie.
Eve has set up a website — www.welikemilngavie.org — and she said that if she gets a good response she will set up a public meeting to debate the proposals.
A Tesco spokeswoman said: "We've been consulting for 12 months and have received some very helpful comments, which have helped to develop our proposals. We know from talking to our customers that they want to see an improved choice and range in Milngavie.
"We believe our proposals would meet this demand. We have worked hard to ensure our plans both improve shopping for our customers and enable us to stay in our existing location."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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