21/04/10 – re-edited from a defunct blog of mine…

Near where I live Tesco want to build an express store. For several years a vociferous campaign by a motivated section of the local community has successfully had several planning applications refused. The Norwich Green Party who are politically motivated against Tesco have been very active in this campaign to the extent that, in my opinion, Green Party councillors on the planning committee have been dangerously close to having fettered their discretion.

The latest application by Tesco was determined at a meeting earlier this year; the planning department’s recommendation was for approval with conditions but it was refused by the committee.

Despite assurances I can’t help but feel that the local Green Party doesn’t quite rank the quality of our built environment as highly as our natural environment. It’s almost as if their dogmatic opposition to that behemoth that is Tesco outweighs all other considerations. If the price of destroying Tesco’s ambitions for the Unthank Road means we end up with sub-standard, pastiche architecture then so be it – because that is a very real danger.

Tesco are appealing. In pure planning terms Tesco will probably win (I might be wrong) which means that the City Council will have to pay costs. What happens if Tesco lose? Will Tesco sell the site? If they do the probability of a rubbish architecture on the site is high.

The artist impression (above) doesn’t quite do the proposal justice – it’s ostensibly contemporary and many won’t like it. But if you ask me I’d sooner see this Tesco shop than some ill-conceived pandering to the 19th century.

In an ideal world we’d have neither – it would either be landscaped open public space or something inspiring by Richard Rogers !