Conservatives Theresa Villiers Article
Dated 7th July 2009
This article was published on Theresa Villiers website.
VILLIERS WELCOMES LOCAL VICTORY AGAINST ASDA
Tuesday 7th July 2009
MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, has welcomed Asda's decision to withdraw its planning application for a new superstore in New Barnet, following a successful campaign by local residents.
Asda's planning proposal was due to go before the planning and environment committee last Wednesday, but was withdrawn just the day before after the scheme was recommended for refusal by Council Officers on the grounds that it would have a negative impact on New Barnet's "character, appearance, townscape and quality of the area." In total, nearly 2,000 local residents sent letters of objection to Barnet Council.
Theresa Villiers said, "This is a great victory for local residents who have campaigned tirelessly against inappropriate development in New Barnet. The proposed development would have threatened the livelihood of many local retailers and created immense traffic congestion problems in and surrounding New Barnet."
"The battle is not over yet since it is likely that ASDA will submit an amended application at a later date and there is also the continued threat of a new Tesco superstore."
Tesco also plan to submit a planning application before the end of the year.
