Below is a picture of the recent protest outside Campus West. You can view more pictures from the night by clicking HERE.
Protesters outside Campus West before the planning meeting
Audio clip of last night’s vote and radio interview this morning on 3CR
Here is an audio clip of the actual vote taking place at last night’s meeting. The rapturous applause from the hundreds of people present sends a clear message that town residents very much rejected this proposal.
Below you can hear a short radio interview by Three Counties Radio conducted this morning, with the chairman of the Society, Shaun O’Reilly.
3CR WGC Society interview the morning after the vote
The council planning committee says no to Tesco!
In a packed to capacity house at the Campus West theatre tonight the planning committee voted against allowing the Tesco proposal for a superstore to go ahead. Out of fifteen councillors thirteen voted against it. One voted for (Cllr Irene Dean), and one abstained (Cllr Darren Bennett).
This is a major vindication of the majority public feeling on this important matter, and a victory for local people and the future of our town. The atmosphere in the theatre was electric, it’s not often you can say that about a council meeting.
The Society thanks each and every resident who came out tonight to show support.
More on this to follow soon.
Breaking News: Interview with the Society chairman on BBC Three Counties Radio
In advance of the very important meeting tonight, Society chairman, Shaun O’Reilly was interviewed this lunchtime on Three Counties Radio.
You can hear the interview by clicking below:
3CR interview 11th Jan: Tesco proposal objection and planning meeting
Please attend tonights meeting if you are able, your presence will send a clear signal to our elected councillors that we do not want a huge Tesco superstore on the edge of our town.
This evening’s meeting (6:45 at the Campus) is a very important milestone in this saga.
Grant Shapps comes out against the Tesco proposal
The Welwyn & Hatfield Times has a statement from Grant Shapps that clearly shows that he opposes this proposal.
It can be read below, the original article is on the WHT website HERE.
Article as follows:
Mr Shapps’ views have been released just hours before tonight’s (Wednesday’s) planning committee meeting.
Fifteen councillors will decide whether plans for a 50,000sq ft supermarket, swimming pool, affordable housing, heritage centre, doctors’ surgery and YMCA on Broadwater Road, should be given the go-ahead.
Mr Shapps said: “Right from the outset it has been clear that the Tesco application goes against clearly set out principles for the development of our town centre.
“The local plan states that Broadwater Road should be zoned for housing, business and leisure, but specifically rules out retail.
“ Given the huge size of the proposed Tesco store it’s hard to see how anything has changed.
“The amount of traffic generated by such a store, the impact on our existing shops and those in the surrounding area, together with the poor connectivity with the town centre are for me reasons why I hope that councillors will reject this application tonight.”
