Turn anger into action, people told by group opposed to supermarket

Earlier this month it was announced the supermarket giant would be permitted to build the store on Mayfield Road, and replace their current store in Springs Lane with an old people’s home and retail units.

The news came after Government planning inspector Harold Stephens overturned Bradford Council’s initial decisions to deny planning permission for each proposal.

But protest group Irate (Ilkley Residents Against Tesco Expansion) has told residents in the town not to give up the fight.

They want people upset by Mr Stephens’ report explaining his decisions to write to the planning inspectorate, MP Kris Hopkins and Bradford Council to register their complaints. “It is important that Ilkley residents once again express their opposition, although the approval for Tesco to build its superstore is unlikely to be overturned,” an Irate spokesman said.

“There are many fair-minded people in Ilkley who are incensed by the tone and content of the inspector’s decision letter.

“It is felt that local concerns about traffic and the town’s retail health have been swept aside as irrelevant. So we are calling on all those who are upset by the decision to make their voice heard. Turn your anger into action – protest, protest, protest.”

Meanwhile, the Ilkley and Wharfedale Tourism Partnership has described Mr Stephens’ report as a “major blow”.

“Large numbers come to stay here time and again because Ilkley has been able to retain its small town feel that so many other places have lost,” a spokesman said.

“There are still many small and interesting shops in Ilkley which have made us increasingly unique as a visitor destination.

“It is very difficult to see how small traders will be able to survive against the hefty might of a vast Tesco superstore selling everything from bras to balloons.

“We fear more charity shops and empty, boarded-up buildings in Ilkley, making the town increasingly difficult to promote as an upmarket visitor destination.”