Arlington House residents snub plans for Tesco

KENT NEWS:
http://www.yourthanet.co.uk/kent-news/Arlington-House-residents-snub-plans-for-Tesco-newsinkent37529.aspx?news=local

Opposition to a new Tesco store on the Arlington site in Margate is growing.

Campaigners against a proposed a new Tesco store packed a meeting on Monday evening last week and voted against the plans for development.

It was hosted by Arlington House Residents Association.

The plans would see them losing their car-park if given the green light, and flat-owners would have to pay some £17,000 each towards the regeneration of the tower block.

The multi-million-pound scheme would see the demolition of the large, derelict car-park next to the flats, as well as shops being knocked down.

Association chairman Ron Greene told the assembled crowd that neither property developer Freshwater nor Tesco had provided answers to questions raised during public consultations three months ago.

He said: “Research has shown that surrounding property prices go down when a Tesco store is built in a residential area”.

Labour ward councillor Iris Johnston and council planning officer Doug Brown fielded a barrage of questions from residents and businesses at the meeting.

Arlington House residents questioned Thanet council’s right to agree to the demolition of the existing residents’ car-park.

Mr Greene also said that plans to redevelop the whole of the site had been shelved.

He said: “Freshwater is only going for full planning permission for Tesco to go on the car-park site.

“The proposed shops, hotel and doctors’ surgery will only be subjected to outline planning permission as there are no takers for those units. This means the seaside frontage could remain boarded up for years to come.”

A show of hands to ask who was in favour of the Tesco scheme, called for by Cllr Johnston, resulted in a unanimous ‘No’ against the development.

After the meeting, Mr Greene said: “It is clear the people of Margate do not want another Tesco superstore.

“I was initially in favour of a scheme that would see the derelict site regenerated and the exterior of Arlington House improved.

“However, I now believe a store of the proposed size will be detrimental for local residents and existing businesses in Margate.”

He also said he was concerned by the increase in traffic the development could bring.

He said: “Statistics reveal that 20,000 cars a day pass along the seafront at present. That number will obviously increase with the opening of the Turner Centre and Dreamland heritage theme park.

“The further addition of a 24-hour Tesco superstore will likely cause traffic gridlock at the train station roundabout.

“If the council does give the go-ahead for Tesco, I am asking that planning conditions be imposed to restrict the hours for opening and deliveries and that adequate sound insulation be provided to Arlington House at the expense of the developer.”

POSTED: 08/07/2010 11:00:00