Hundreds pack meeting over Tesco's Broadlands plans (From Daily Echo)
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Hundreds pack meeting over Tesco's Broadlands plans
7:16am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News
By Patrick Knox, Senior Reporter
An artists impression of the planned store
PASSIONS ran high last night as residents opposing plans for an out-of-town Tesco on a historic Hampshire estate met those supporting the plans.
More than 200 people packed out Romsey Town Hall at a public meeting to discuss the plan under a large painting of the late Lord Mountbatten, whose grandson Lord Brabourne wants a moneyspinning superstore on the family’s Broadlands Estate.
The supermarket giant has lodged plans with the planning authority to transform the sixacre site known as the Fairground Field into a busy store which will include a 400- space car park.
But the meeting in the town hall in the market town’s square heard fears this could crush the already struggling town centre.
For Bruce Maddick, a Say No to Tesco at Broadlands campaigner, the supermarket would “pull the heart from the town”.
He said: “We say it will have an adverse effect on the centre.”
Tesco has billed the supermarket as the only way the town can bring back more than 50 per cent of its residents who shop elsewhere, as well as providing 200 jobs.
David Willox of Romsey Chamber of Commerce said studies proved out-of-town developments had a negative impact on town centres.
But some residents launched a group last week backing the superstore plan called STAR (Supporting Tesco at Romsey).
STAR co-ordinator Donna Lambe told the meeting that most of her group’s members already leave Romsey for their shopping needs because the shopping facilities do not provide everything families or lower income families want.
She said: “While Waitrose is a lovely store, many of our group feel it is overpriced and very rarely has the offers that the large supermarkets hold.
“Tesco will give the majority a choice to stay in Romsey for their weekly shop.”
Residents have until October 12 to register their views before the plan goes before the Southern Area Planning Commitee at a date to be determined.
Comments(18)
sarfhamton
says...
8:20am Thu 20 Sep 12
Vix1
says...
8:43am Thu 20 Sep 12
Linesman
says...
8:50am Thu 20 Sep 12
What a pity that he could not have done something for the community by opting for affordable housing for Romsey 'Locals' who are squeezed out of the area.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
8:55am Thu 20 Sep 12
Vix1 wrote:Romsey posh? Come out with me Friday night to the Tavern and I'll show you! Think you've mixed Romsey up with Winchester.
Tesco, is just what Romsey needs!! I don't go to Romsey because of paying to park and then having no decent shops for the average person to shop in! It is a lovely little town (shops aside), that will receive a far greater footfall if people are lured to Tesco to do their shopping. Residents need to think outside the box a bit, is Romsey a town for all or a town for the posh?? Do you want visitors or do you want to be a closed community??
mr.wart
says...
8:57am Thu 20 Sep 12
aldermoorboy
says...
9:06am Thu 20 Sep 12
The average person in Romsey will benefit, plus 100's of new jobs for the workers.
Go for it Romsey, things must progress, this will be a great store.
mr.wart
says...
9:11am Thu 20 Sep 12
mr.wart
says...
9:14am Thu 20 Sep 12
Torchie1
says...
9:31am Thu 20 Sep 12
Vix1 wrote:Do you think the average chubby that thinks Tesco provides shopping trolleys to lean on while they struggle around the store will be capable of waddling in to Romsey town?
Tesco, is just what Romsey needs!! I don't go to Romsey because of paying to park and then having no decent shops for the average person to shop in! It is a lovely little town (shops aside), that will receive a far greater footfall if people are lured to Tesco to do their shopping. Residents need to think outside the box a bit, is Romsey a town for all or a town for the posh?? Do you want visitors or do you want to be a closed community??
hulla baloo
says...
10:05am Thu 20 Sep 12
Walter K
says...
11:06am Thu 20 Sep 12
hulla baloo wrote:Wrong.
Good idea, wrong place. Traffic gets quite congested there as it is. Best place would be on the other edge of Romsey, Halterworth/Whitenap area opposite Luzborough pub.
Walter K
says...
11:09am Thu 20 Sep 12
I think you'll find he "did one" to the Caribbean a couple of years ago and left all Estate business to his Mrs!
hulla baloo
says...
11:48am Thu 20 Sep 12
Walter K wrote:Your reasoning?
hulla baloo wrote:Wrong.
Good idea, wrong place. Traffic gets quite congested there as it is. Best place would be on the other edge of Romsey, Halterworth/Whitenap area opposite Luzborough pub.
Walter K
says...
12:03pm Thu 20 Sep 12
saint robbie
says...
12:12pm Thu 20 Sep 12
Vix1 wrote:Romsey is a town for those that think they are posh. Ive worked here for a number of years and really have never met such obnoxious people.
Tesco, is just what Romsey needs!! I don't go to Romsey because of paying to park and then having no decent shops for the average person to shop in! It is a lovely little town (shops aside), that will receive a far greater footfall if people are lured to Tesco to do their shopping. Residents need to think outside the box a bit, is Romsey a town for all or a town for the posh?? Do you want visitors or do you want to be a closed community??
The live in this bubble where just because they live in Romsey they believe they are upper class (even the ones in social/council housing) its laughable.
Ive personally never understood it as i have seen the Tavern, William, Star, Commrades and also witnessed the big drug culture in Romsey. Ive also had my wallet stolen whilst shopping there.
You need to wake up people of Romsey, you are no better than anyone else.
fuzzyfelt
says...
6:02pm Thu 20 Sep 12
RomseySaint84
says...
12:16pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant says...
7:48am Thu 20 Sep 12