Added 10/9/2009 

 

Datchet residents hit out at Tesco plans

12:52pm Tue 8th Sep 09:: written by Justin Burns - Maidenhead Advertiser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impassioned Datchet folk turned out in force last night to vent their anger at an impending new Tesco Express store.

Tensions were running high as more than 40 residents registered their discontent at a Datchet Parish Council meeting to object to plans for the convenience store on the site of the old Mulligan restaurant, in Horton Road.

The usually harmonious meeting inside the Village Hall, in The Green, turned into a full-on debate.

Heated homeowners fired a constant stream of questions at Royal Borough Datchet councillors, Mayor Jesse Grey and Gary Muir, and councillors from Datchet Parish Council.

Concerns were raised about the threat to local businesses and village life, increased traffic, the store's opening hours, delivery times, noise and possible bright signage.

Speaking at the meeting, borough councillors said they supported them, but their hands were tied as the supermarket giant did not require any planning permission.

A Tesco spokeswoman had previously confirmed that it is to open a "small, neighbourhood convenience store about the size of a tennis court" at the site.