Co-op may win coastal town's store wars with new extension

More than 3,700 people have petitioned against plans by Tesco which wants to build on green field land at High Stakesby under a deal with the Sisters of the Order of the Holy Paraclete, based at Sneaton Castle.

Whitby Residents Against Tesco Superstore claim that the new supermarket could drive shopkeepers out of business, destroy the character of the town and increase congestion.

They argued that Sainsbury's proposal for Stainsacre Lane would cause much less damage. But now Scarborough Council planners have rejected both ideas in favour of expanding the existing Co-op outlet by the railway station.

Campaigners are now looking to the council's elected members to take a final decision next Thursday. Helen Barker, who has led the anti-Tesco campaign, said: "We hope sanity will now prevail.

"Obviously, we cannot assume anything until after the planning committee and the council gives its final decision. But it is very good to know the recommendation is that Tesco should be rejected anyway.

"Those who support Sainsbury's will feel the same about the Sainsbury's scheme. But our main objective was to stop this going ahead in this location.

"We are optimistic. The council is in a very difficult position but following their own guidelines it is natural they should go for the Co-op extension. They have gone for the decision which will have the least devastating impact on Whitby town centre."

Scarborough and Whitby Tory MP Robert Goodwill suggested that – because the big supermarkets compete against each other to sell petrol cheaply – the decision could hit motorists in the pocket. "The general feeling I get is people in Whitby would like a superstore mainly because they were hoping they would get cheaper fuel because of a lack of competition locally.

"Presumably there will be the option for Tesco and Saintsbury's to appeal against any refusal. We will have to let the democratic process takes it course."

A Tesco spokesman said: "We believe that our proposals are right for Whitby and that most residents agree with us.

"Our development will provide care facilities for the elderly, much needed affordable housing for Whitby families and space for a medical centre, as well as the supermarket people want on a site close to the town centre, creating 300 jobs.This isn't just a supermarket, but a real investment in Whitby and we hope local councillors support the plans."

No one from Saintsbury's was available to comment.