Member Article

Harrogate Chambers urge Tesco to reconsider Harrogate superstore

Harrogate Chamber of Commerce urged a halt to the planned Tesco superstore on Skipton Road, despite local support for the development.

According to the Harrogate Advertiser, the chamber used the appointment of Tesco’s new chief executive last month to urge Tesco to halt its plans for the former gas works site.

The chamber claim that the land would be better used for affordable housing and that the traffic caused by the supermarket will gridlock the roads.

New Park ward Coun Matthew Webber (Lib Dem) said: “The chamber should get out and talk to local people. There is support from local residents. People don’t want to travel across Harrogate to do a supermarket shop.

“This application has already been approved by the council, it has permission. I supported it as a local resident and a local councillor.

“I don’t know why the Chamber of Trade think they should be meddling in this.”

Harrogate Chamber’s chief executive Brian Dunsby said: “There is an urgent need for a lot more affordable housing in Harrogate which would be a far better use of the former gasworks site on a major road not far from Harrogate town centre.”

Tesco spokesperson Mark Thomas said: “Our proposals for Harrogate will transform the former gasworks and bring major benefits for the town. We appreciate the Chamber’s views and are grateful for all comments, but there is also strong support in the community .

“We keep our plans under review to ensure we are proposing what is best for our customers and the community and if there are any changes we will be sure to provide a further update.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .