Controversial Tesco plan to go before committee next month

The debate has been raging over Tesco's attempts to set up shop in the town, ever since it resubmitted controversial plans for a 24-hour store on the site of the former gasworks at New Park earlier this year.

The supermarket giant maintains it has 70 per cent of public support for the scheme.

But with the proposals due to go before Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee on May 25, campaigners are urging councillors to block the application.

Phil Willis, Harrogate and Knaresborough's long-standing MP, who is stepping down from his Liberal Democrat seat in the next election, said: "I have remained steadily against Tesco opening on that site and I remain committed to that.

"I recognise that many people want to see a Tesco store there but it would be absolutely disastrous for the town centre and disastrous for local businesses.

"The one thing we are not short of in Harrogate is supermarkets and I hope the planning committee realises that when the application is put before them.

"What the town really needs is a boost for all the shops and small businesses located here that are struggling to make a living – not a Tesco."

The resubmitted plans contain a new traffic statement which protesters would say would bring the town centre to a state of gridlock.

Fears over its effect on the town's transport network prompted the Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce to announce a formal objection to Tesco setting up at the gasworks. Chief executive Brian Dunsby, also has safety concerns about a proposed access road.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Matthew Magee, said: "We are working through the planning process with the council to get the best result for Harrogate.

"It's clear that the majority of people would like to see us build the store and we're grateful for the support people have shown from across Harrogate.

"Our customers in the Express stores in Harrogate keep asking when we're going to build and we're hopeful that we can soon deliver the great shopping facility which the north of Harrogate needs."