Campaigners against plans to build a giant supermarket in London Road, St Albans, were delighted when Tesco decided to abandon the project. Instead, the former Eversheds Printing site will be used for housing and commercial developments.
The pressure group Stop Tesco was formed by St Albans residents when Tesco first announced its plan. Now that the long battle against the scheme is finally over, Simon Hepburn – the leader of the group – considered the decision as “sensible and long overdue”, according to the St Albans and Harpenden Review.
Mr Hepburn said: “It’s brilliant news. It’s what people wanted and the most sensible thing to do.”
St Albans District Council has now begun its search for developers to begin the London Road housing project, according to BBC News. The district council indicated that the planned London Road housing developments are in line with its local development framework.
Instead of the London Road scheme, Tesco is now planning to turn the former Woolworth’s store in St Peter’s Street into a supermarket.
The council and the supermarket are also discussing plans for possible commercial developments in the area. Tesco made a further commitment to launch a refurbishing project for the derelict properties it owns in London and Inkerman Road.
The St Albans District Council head of planning and building control, Heather Cheesbrough, promised to continue engaging in talks with Tesco to ensure that the refurbishments are progressing with appropriate speed. Indeed, it seems that the Council is committed to both its own development framework and the requirements of its residents.
