Tesco's plan is rejected

Reasons for refusal include the impact the store would have on shops in the district centre, the loss of the school from St John's to a site outside the city and the increase of traffic it would cause.

Director of development services, Stuart McNidder, said the store would function "entirely separately" from the established shopping centre and had no direct link to it.

And while he admitted there was a proven need for a supermarket in St John's the proposed Tesco store was too big.

Council highways engineers have objected to the plans because they fear the area could not cope with the increase in traffic the store would bring, particularly at the junction of Bromyard Road and St John's.

But Tesco came out fighting, despite expressing surprise at planning officers' recommendation of refusal.

Andrew Harris, Tesco's development executive, said the firm was totally committed to doing what was best for the people of St John's.

"We have put enormous effort in to ensure that our plans meet their aspirations, which is why the conclusion reached by officers is so surprising," he said.

"A new Tesco store will provide a retail anchor for the areas that will ensure the long-term viability of St John's."

Mr Harris added that the proposed new link road, between Bromwich Road and Malvern Road, would help improve traffic circulation.

St John's resident and anti-Tesco campaigner, Chris Hughes, welcomed the recommendation by city planners.

"It is the sensible outcome of what everyone has been saying," he said.

"Tesco has been saying it will not have an impact on the traffic but common sense has said it will, and the council has backed that."

"There is also the loss of the school, which is used by many different groups in St John's," he added.

The city council's planning committee will discuss the proposals on Thursday, June 12, and will make a recommendation to the full council, which will make the final decision.