Tesco refused permission for Idle supermarket (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Traders delighted at Idle store's refusal

10:50am Friday 6th January 2012 in Idle By Tanya O'Rourke

A supermarket has been refused permission to build a convenience store after fierce opposition.

A proposal to build a Tesco Express in Leeds Road, Idle, has been refused by Bradford Council planning officers for a number of reasons including its appearance, an increase in pedestrians expected to cross busy roads, and inadequate car parking provision.

Councillor Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) delivered a 360-name petition against the development to City Hall last month. Ward councillors for the area had sent letters to 600 houses about the plans and received more than 100 replies, a response Coun Griffiths described as “astonishing”.

The petition had been set up by Thakor and Manjula Patel, who run T&V Off Licence and News in Fourlands Road.

Their shop is opposite the site on which Tesco wanted to build, which is the car park of The George pub.

The couple were not available for comment yesterday, but Mina Patel, who works at the shop, said: “I’m pleased about it. It would have affected the business.

“A lot of customers said there shouldn’t be a Tesco there. Everybody’s really pleased.

“People are grateful to Mr and Mrs Patel for organising the petition. They don’t need another Tesco just there, they are happy with the corner shop.”

Coun Griffiths said: “We are pleased that the Council has listened to the views of local people, who were overwhelmingly opposed to the proposals.

“It is tribute to the hundreds of local residents in Idle and Thackley who responded to our letters and petition, particularly Mr and Mrs Patel.”

A Tesco spokesman said: “We appreciate there were a number of concerns with our proposal for a convenience store on Leeds Road.

“We do believe a Tesco would be popular here so we’ll need to review whether we can address the concerns adequately.”