THE controversial redevelopment of Tesco on Worcester’s Warndon Villages estate continues after plans were agreed for an extension to the store’s proposed new lobby area.

The 81 square metre front-of-store lobby was approved by Worcester City Council’s planning committee earlier this summer – but Tesco has since submitted a fresh application asking its width be increased from 12.5 to 16 metres.

Planning officials at the city council had recommended the scheme be approved.

“This is a very simple proposal,” said senior planning officer Alan Coleman. “We consider this to be acceptable both in itself and accompanied by other minor developments approved by this committee.”

The Warndon store provoked enormous controversy recently when 75 trees were chopped down as part of its redevelopment.

Warndon Parish Council lodged an objection to the latest application, with chairman Ted Holloway telling the committee it was the latest in a long line of applications submitted by the store since proposals for a huge extension were rejected two years ago.

He said: “In view of the large number of planning applications received from Tesco recently, and with regards to the planning history of the site, we are asking for a moratorium on applications until the company makes its intentions clear.

“Our concern is the company is attempting to achieve what was refused in 2006. We do not feel this is going to be the last application.”

However, committee members told Mr Holloway planning rules clearly state they must judge each individual application on its own merits – and they had heard no good reason why the agreed entrance lobby should not be made a little wider.

The only other issue raised came from a crime risk manager with West Mercia police.

Michael Stephenson told the council he had a “serious concern” about the “ineffective CCTV” system outside the front of the store.

He said: “Historically, this area has been subject to continuous anti-social behaviour problems from local youths, culminating in a large amount of calls from both the public and Tesco staff about threats, intimidation and so forth”.

Mr Stephenson called for “an improvement in the numbers and type of cameras to ensure a safe environment”.

Committee members resolved to pass Mr Stephenson’s concerns on to Tesco but decided not to make improved CCTV a condition of the application as they felt the issue did not relate directly to the extension of the lobby.

The application was then approved.