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The campaign against a Tesco Express in Waterhouse Lane continues. The site of the Marsham Arms pub (map) has been lined up by the supermarket giant. Local Liberal Democrat campaigners are continuing the fight to stop it, working alongside local residents.
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Your local Liberal Democrats were disappointed and dissatisfied at the Planning Committee decision by 8 to 5 to approve the demolition of the Marsham Arms and build flats, houses and an unwelcome "convenience store". In our opinion, Councillors on the Committee were poorly advised, the evidence provided by the developer was not seriously challenged, and the reasons for the refusal that we and residents argued for were not adequately explored.
But the fight must go on - we believe a use of more value to the community than a Tesco Express can be viable. There should have been proper consultation long ago, and we propose now to take up the belated offer from the developer to meet with you and your Councillors and the Residents' Association, to discuss the pub and the site's future and local objectives and ideas. And let's strengthen our call to Tesco to back away from considering locating here.
Some of the committee concluded planning refusal was not possible in line with the Council's policies - if that's so then these should be looked at urgently. They are not serving the community of Waterhouse Farm well. There must be no further delay to the review Liberal Democrats have long called for.
Thank you to the many who came to the Council chamber and spoke so well, along with the Residents' Association and your present Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors John Hunnable and Lorraine Cobbold; and to the many residents who wrote to oppose the loss of the pub. You deserve a better outcome.
- 13 Jan 2011 News article in the Essex Chronicle about the decision to grant permission [link]
- 13 Jan 2011 Letter in the Chronicle from local resident [link]
- 9 Jan 2011 Report in Chelmsford Weekly News before the decision [link]
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