Tesco has withdrawn its proposed development at Hanley Grange, near Cambridge, from the government scheme to approve new eco-owns, noting widespread local opposition.
The pull-out deals another blow to the government’s plans to create eco-towns.
The supermarket group said such developments stood a better chance of successful delivery if a broad range of stakeholders in the region felt they had been fully engaged in the process.
It said it would instead look to develop the site through the Regional Spatial Strategy. Tesco’s announcement means the list of 16 applicants for eco-towns announced in April has dropped to 12.
The government said it remained committed to announcing a final shortlist of up to 10 potential locations early in the new year.
Meanwhile, Tesco is looking to open the country’s first supermarket designed for elderly people, in Newcastle. It hopes to win approval for the store on October 24.
29/08/08 Financial Times 2
Times 1, 20
Daily Telegraph 6, 12
