tesco drops plans (From Barry And District News)

tesco drops plans

TESCO has scrapped controversial plans to build a superstore on Brynhill Golf Club land - and announced it is now looking for a "suitable brownfield site".

The move has delighted hundreds of local residents, who only last week packed into Highlight Park Community Centre to voice their concerns on the proposals.

And it has also been welcomed by Vale MP John Smith and Assembly Member Jane Hutt, who were vehemently opposed to the plans.

The news, however, is a massive setback for Brynhill Golf Club, which would have benefited enormously had the deal gone ahead.

Chairman Jack McKee told the Barry and District News: "We are very disappointed - a lot of hard work has gone into this. However, it doesn't mean the closure of Brynhill Golf Club. We will continue to operate but there may be difficult times ahead."

Tesco said the decision to scrap the superstore plan was made after representatives realised the level of local feeling against any form of development on the land.

Corporate affairs manager Julian Walker-Palin said: "We pride ourselves on the level of public consultation we carry out as part of any planning application.

"We worked very hard on plans for a sympathetic store for the golf club site, and we now hope to work with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to identify suitable brownfield sites to allow us to fulfil our customers' desires for a better store in Barry."

Vale MP John Smith, who had expressed his concerns about the superstore plans in a letter to the chief executive of Tesco, said: "I am delighted that the application has been withdrawn, although not altogether surprised given the strength of opposition from local people."

Assembly Member Jane Hutt added: "I am delighted that Tesco has decided to withdraw the proposals for a new superstore on the greenfield site at Brynhill Golf Club. This is a victory for the residents of Barry who have actively campaigned against the proposals."

The Vale of Glamorgan Council also issued a statement saying "common sense had prevailed".