12:32pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
As a supporter of Ilkley Residents Against Tesco Expansion (Irate), I and many other members of the Ilkley community wait anxiously for news of the Government inspector's decision on the Tesco planning application for a superstore on Ilkley's Mayfield Road Site.
I think it important to list my reasons for believing this development would be wrong for the town of Ilkley: 1 The sheer size of the proposed huge superstore is totally inappropriate and out of scale and balance for a town the size of Ilkley and would threaten the survival of other businesses especially the independent retailers.
The recession is taking its toll, just as it is in many other parts of the country and if this proposal was granted, it would give a whole new meaning to “survival of the fittest”. Empty and boarded-up shops and businesses would be the picture to greet future Ilkley tourists and visitors and Ilkley is a popular tourist town. The proposed superstore would be inappropriately placed in a residential area.
2 Increased traffic, with cars containing shoppers Tesco hope to seduce from other towns such as Guiseley, Otley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Skipton and Keighley, would result in a build-up of congestion. “Rat-running” would occur on other streets of Ilkley, as vehicles try to escape the area affected by the proposed Tesco development.
3 The uniqueness of Ilkley, which makes it so special and attracts many visitors, is the reason that I and my family love it and decided to make it our home over 30 years ago.
4 The first Tesco application was recommended for refusal by Ilkley Parish Council in 2008. It was subsequently withdrawn by Tesco and the second application submitted. This was again recommended for refusal by Ilkley Parish Council and refused by Bradford Council in August last year.
5 Tesco have two retail outlets, one at Springs Lane and Tesco Express on the A65 on Leeds Road. I believe that Tesco could improve their existing store.
Irate’s 5,000-signature petition was presented to Bradford Council and over 2,000 individual letters of objection were written to Bradford Council objecting to the Tesco proposal. A majority of the community of Ilkley have said no to Tesco superstore.
I sincerely hope that the decision of the Government inspector reflects and respects the wishes of the majority of the Ilkley community.
Kathy Best
Ilkley Parish Councillor
Leeds Road, Ilkley
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