Tesco superstore plans almost secure as safety appeal ruled out

TESCO’S bid to build a superstore in Harrogate, the last postcode in mainland Britain without one, has just one hurdle left to clear after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said yesterday it would not be calling in the decision by councillors to grant it permission.

The HSE had advised against granting permission because of safety concerns over the supermarket giant’s application to convert a former gasworks site, which has provoked a storm of controversy and rumbled on for nearly half a decade.

But despite its reservations, the HSE has announced it will not be requesting to call the matter in for a public inquiry.

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Now the final decision is expected to be made by the Government in the coming months.

Despite the new blow, campaigners who claim to be fighting in the last bastion against Tesco, say they are still hopeful the application will be scrapped at the 11th hour.

The chief executive of the Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Brian Dunsby, a vocal critic of the scheme, said: “This is very disappointing news.

“But I can understand why because, regrettably, the HSE can only call in cases of exceptional concern or where important policy or safety issues are at stake.

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“A groundswell of opposition has now formed, with people realising what the planning committee has done in accepting this application. I’m still confident it will be called in.”

Despite its decision, the HSE has reiterated its advice to refuse permission to the scheme.

A spokesman said yesterday: “After careful consideration of this case, HSE has decided not to request call-in.

“However, HSE’s land use planning advice remains that there are sufficient safety grounds to refuse permission for the development.

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“HSE’s decision not to request call-in in this case does not mean that this advice is withdrawn.”

A Harrogate Council planning committee voted 11-3, with one abstention, earlier this month in favour of the proposals for a 24-hour site at New Park.

Tesco has denied it is motivated in pushing ahead with the long-delayed application, which was revised and resubmitted last year, simply to complete its monopoly across Britain.

The Harrogate superstore is expected to create more than 300 jobs and attract around 20,000 customers a week.

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Its approval is subject to conditions, including a £1.5m town centre investment from the company.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Matt Magee said yesterday: “We are pleased to be another step closer to bringing the supermarket shopping needed in the north of Harrogate.”