SHOPKEEPERS in Great Harwood can breathe a sigh of relief after plans to build a Tesco superstore were turned down.
The Secretary of State has officially rejected an application for the superstore in Queen Street after a four-day public inquiry held by a Government inspector in July this year.
Hyndburn Council had approved the plan but, as with many large retail applications, it was "called in" to the Local Government Office in Manchester.
It was refused on the grounds that it would share the same catchment area as the new £32M Accrington Tesco already given planning permission.
The inspector’s report says he recognises a need for the new store in terms of quality.
It would help claw back expenditure currently going outside the town and there would also be a benefit to the environment in reducing the number of car trips.
But he adds that the "quantitative need" for a new Tesco has not been proved, bearing in mind the Accrington development.
Maria Whitehead, of the family-owned Whitehead’s convenience store, claimed at the public inquiry that the town centre would be destroyed if Tesco got the go-ahead.
After hearing the news she said: "We are very pleased with the decision but we are still a little concerned as we don’t know what Tesco’s next move will be. But we are very happy about the decision today."
The Co-op also opposed the plans but most residents were in favour of the proposals.
Great Harwood ward councillor Lynn Wilson, who voted against the application as a member of Hyndburn’s Planning Committee, said: "I am pleased that the superstore has been refused because I didn’t have any confidence it would do a great deal for the town."
If the plan had been approved Tesco would have spent £170,000 on upgrading bus stops in the area, £25,000 on footpath improvements in Queen Street and £65,000 on environmental improvements.
Tesco has 60 days in which to appeal.
A spokesman said it would take its time to study the decision carefully and consider its options.
