Developers clash over Tesco plans [ET]

RIVAL developers clashed at a public inquiry over major superstore plans.

Tesco is appealing a decision to refer a planning application for a development of supermarket and student flats at Partick, close to Glasgow Harbour to the Scottish Government.

[A 'Times reader comments]:-

The ET really need to get to grips on the planning system and provide accurate information.

Tesco arent appealing against a decision to refer a planning application to the SG. They are appealing to the SG against the non-determination of 2 planning applications by GCC.

Are your reporters nodding off while the Inquiry is on??

Read the full article…

 

The Tesco Public Local Inquiry (PLI)

Is starting on Tuesday 22 April at 10 am on City council premises ie Cafe George at 266 George St. It is expected to last a fortnight. Please consider attending if you can make it. The local campaign is against this development as it seems unnecessary. There are objections in view of increased traffic, effect on local shops ie probable closure, increased air pollution, and the environment in general.
The public can access the legal documents relating to the case at DRS Reception at 229 George St during normal working hours.
If you wish to help the STOP campaign, ie the local campaign to prevent this development, please contact Gordon Bickerton at press@stoptesco.info

 

Partick Tesco – Tesco’s ‘Plan B’

E.T. today

 

All Tomorrow’s Particks to Bomb Tesco site

PRESS RELEASE: Having sent the message to Tesco through a Mass Massage, All Tomorrow’s Particks are planning to bomb the proposed Tesco site.

Using seeds that represent the bio-diversity of Scotland, clay and soil (sourced locally) the group are inviting local residents to come together to make seed bombs before firing them into the site via a medieval style catapult.

 

 “During the Mass Massage event everyone filled out wish cards. A lot of people wanted to see more green space, possibly a park, community garden or city farm. So that’s what we’re going to make happen by planting hundreds of seeds on the site.” Explained Nic Green, spokesperson for the group. “It’s simple really, if this is what the community wants, why shouldn’t they have it?”

 

The group are inviting anyone who would prefer a green space over a monolithic multinational to come to Beith Street, behind Partick’s other supermarket – Morrisons at 3 pm, Sunday, June 17th where everyone has the chance to uproot Tesco plans and plant their own.

 

“This next month could be critical in the decision over the use of the site. We’ve heard that Glasgow City Council will be meeting shortly to push through a decision. But many of the people we have spoken to still feel that they haven’t had a say.”  Added Green.

 

A high resolution image is available at: http://www.alltomorrowsparticks.org/images/Dear-Green-Place.jpg

 

Successful Event for New Residents Group – All Tomorrow’s Particks

In their own words…

PARTICK SETS THE WORLD RECORD FOR THE LARGEST EVER MASS MASSAGE!

WILL TESCO GET THE MASSAGE? PARTICK DID.

Residents of Partick have set the world record for the largest ever mass massage.

At 3pm on Sunday 29th April Partick residents told Tesco to ‘get the massage’ and leave the area the way it is – a place determined by it’s people. The record was set by a total of 87 participants who all enjoyed one moment of shared stress relief.

The crowd gathered on a local green space(1) behind Morrison’s on Beith Street, which is in danger of being built upon as part of the Tesco development. The group were guided through the massage by trained masseur, Brendan McGuire. In one giant circle, Partick residents eased each other into relaxation whilst enjoying the much-appreciated Glasgow sunshine.

Following the record-breaking massage, participants hung ‘wish cards’ on trees along the perimeter of the site. “People have amazing ideas about how this space could be used,” said Laura Bradshaw, a local resident and organiser of the event. “A leisure or community centre, allotments, children’s play-park and city farm were just a few of the fantastic visions offered by the residents of Partick. It just goes to show that when people take the time to listen to the local community, the results are fresh and exciting.”

The people of Partick left the site in a haze of calm and tranquility, but the message was loud and clear: That the future of Partick is in the hands of it’s people, not Tesco.

The event was organised by ‘All Tomorrow’s Particks’. A collective of people who live and work in the area, who have come together to create visions of what Partick could be for the future. The group have promised that this will be the first in a series of events focusing on the future of Partick, in particular the proposed Tesco site. Whatever the Beith Street site is used for in the future, it should be up to the people of Partick to make the decision.

Notes

(1) 15% of the proposed Tesco site is owned by the Common Good, land owned by the people of Glasgow.

 

Tesco battle continues…

From the ET…

One member of the audience suggested that, if the company did sanction the demolition of the station building illegally, they should be forced to rebuild it.A transport assessor, Lee Woods, told the meeting he felt the superstore would lead to traffic problems in the area.

He added: “They have agreed that there will be serious problems at the junction of Byres Road and University Road with queues as long as 100 cars.

“They are considering getting rid of the pedestrian phase at the junction and would look at introducing pedestrian islands.

“That would allow pedestrians to cross while the traffic is still moving and I think that is clearly not satisfactory.”

Tesco’s plan, for a site at Beith Street, covers 9950 square metres.

The proposal includes 690 student flats, 220 houses and 500 parking spaces.

Tills ring up £4800-a-minute profit

Supermarket giant Tesco today posted record profits of £2.55billion – equivalent to more than £4800 a minute.

The underlying pre-tax profits for the year to February 24 underlined the store’s dominance in the sector.

The figures, much in line with expectations, were more than 13% ahead of the previous year.

The Cheshunt-based company also coped with recovering competition from Asda and Sainsbury’s to increase like-for-like UK sales by 5.6%.

It recorded sales of £35.6bn across its 1500 stores in the UK.

And gains following pension changes in April 2006 took the overall pre-tax profits for the year to £2.65bn.

The profits sparked protests from Friends of the Earth, which said the time had come to “curb the power of the Tesco juggernaut”. Campaigner Vicki Hird said: “The supermarket giant’s market dominance is bad news as it allows it to dictate conditions to suppliers and to drive High Street stores out of existence.”

The Competition Commission is also investigating the grocery sector amid claims that the larger stores are using their powers to squeeze out smaller retailers.

Tesco’s gathering strength in areas such as DVDs, clothing and household items was shown when it said its UK non-food business had grown sales by 11.6%, despite a tougher domestic consumer environment. The group’s non-food sales reached £7.6 bn – 25% of UK sales in total.

The company saw strong growth of electronics, DIY, toys and sports goods from its larger Tesco Extra stores.

Sales in its clothing range also jumped, by 16%.

Tesco, which uses underlying pre-tax profits to measure its performance, posted overall UK trading profits of £1.91 bn – 9.2% up on the last year.

 

Public meeting against Tesco 16 April 2007 @ 19:30 Partick Burgh Halls

Meeting in ‘Tesco Town’ row

CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans by Tesco for a major development in Glasgow’s West End are to hold a public meeting. The protest group Stop Tesco Owning Partick (Stop) is hoping for a large turnout at the meeting in Partick Burgh Hall on April 16. A spokesman said the meeting would give feedback on the progress of the group’s efforts. Speakers representing both sides of the row have been invited to address the meeting. advertisement The plan for a supermarket, flats, houses and a car park near the foot of Byres Road sparked outrage when it was lodged last year. One campaigner, Andy Watson, launched an online petition calling on Tony Blair to stop the development, branded Tesco Town’. A petition with several hundred names has also been given to Glasgow City Council. Publication date 04/04/07

 

Storm of protest over Partick ‘Tescotown’ continues

 http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1257022.0.tesco_town_opponents_to_petition_tony_blair.php

The idea of a giant car park in the Proposed Tesco Partick Site totally defeats the idea of taking traffic and cars out of the area,and having car parks on the periphery of the city. There is also the issue of a “One Way Gyratory System” proposed by Tesco to manage the excess traffic projection of over one thousand cars into Tescoland, and one thousand cars out. With a one way system up Byres Road to Church Street,and down Church Street.And a bus route going north up church street,turning left into Dalcross Street, and right into Byres Road. The mere idea of buses being able to negotiate a left turn into Dalcross Street is ludicrous. The area is already far too congested at peak times, this will also add to the level of noise and pollution for locals. All the proposed traffic plans of Tesco will do is push the bottleneck further up the chain. i.e The top of Byres Road / Great Western Road will become intolerable for drivers,residents, pedestrians,and shop/restaurant owners alike. This is far from just a Partick issue. This store will have implications for residents and retailers of a far wider area than just Partick. for more info visit: www.stoptesco.info/ Attend the Public Meeting – April 16th, at Partick Burgh Halls ( 7:30pm) And sign the S.T.O.P. (Stop Tesco Owning Partick.) online petition to the Scottish Parliament opposing this Tesco Development from going ahead.

Jill Ferguson, Partick. on 1:54pm Wed 14 Mar 07 writes:-

The idea of a giant car park in the Proposed Tesco Partick Site totally defeats the idea of taking traffic and cars out of the area,and having car parks on the periphery of the city.

There is also the issue of a “One Way Gyratory System” proposed by Tesco to manage the excess traffic projection of over one thousand cars into Tescoland, and one thousand cars out.

With a one way system up Byres Road to Church Street,and down Church Street.And a bus route going north up church street,turning left into Dalcross Street, and right into Byres Road.
The mere idea of buses being able to negotiate a left turn into Dalcross Street is ludicrous.

The area is already far too congested at peak times, this will also add to the level of noise and pollution for locals.

All the proposed traffic plans of Tesco will do is push the bottleneck further up the chain.
i.e The top of Byres Road / Great Western Road will become intolerable for drivers,residents, pedestrians,and shop/restaurant owners alike.

This is far from just a Partick issue.
This store will have implications for residents and retailers of a far wider area than just Partick.

for more info visit: www.stoptesco.info/

Attend the Public Meeting – April 16th, at Partick Burgh Halls ( 7:30pm)

And sign the S.T.O.P. (Stop Tesco Owning Partick.) online petition to the Scottish Parliament opposing this Tesco Development from going ahead.