It's Tesco v the Co-op

Mar 4 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A LONG running battle over rival bids to open a supermarket in a Northumberland town could be set to rumble on after a challenge was lodged against one store’s planning approval.

The Co-op yesterday confirmed that it is to appeal to the Secretary of State over a decision to allow Tesco to open in Berwick.

The former is seeking the re-opening of a public inquiry on the latter’s proposal, to allow the hearing of evidence which it says has not been taken into account.

However the Co-op, which has previously objected to Tesco’s bid to come to Berwick, would not say what the information was.

Tesco said yesterday it would be inappropriate for it to comment on its rival’s appeal.

Berwick Borough Council said it is up to a High Court judge to determine whether or not the plea to re-open the inquiry is successful and that in the meantime, it will continue to regard the granting of approval to Tesco as valid.

A spokeswoman for Co-op said: “We can confirm that we have submitted an appeal to the Secretary of State requesting he re-opens the public inquiry on Tesco’s proposals.

“We have called for it to be re-opened to assess information that we do not think has been taken into account.”

A spokesman for Tesco was unaware of the Co-op’s appeal but stated it would be “inappropriate” for him to comment given that it could form part of a judicial review. A council spokesperson said: “Until a ruling is made by the High Court about the claim, the decision made by the Secretary of State is still valid and council officers continue to look at the implications of the decision for Berwick and the surrounding areas.”

Tesco was originally granted planning permission by the borough council to open a store, with petrol station, close to the Tweedside trading estate on the A698, in 2005.

At the time an application for a retail park was also approved while two other proposed shopping complexes, one on North Road, were refused.

A bid from Morrisons to extend its North Road store by 50% and demolish and replace its existing petrol station, was given permission soon after.

However all decisions were then called in for a public inquiry which was held from October 2006 to early 2007.

The Co-op attended the hearing to voice its fears over the impact more new retail development in Berwick would have on its stores in north Northumberland and Berwickshire.

Nevertheless, Tesco’s permission was upheld in January along with that of Morrisons while the retail park on North Road was also approved.

The other shopping complex applications, one of which was an appeal against the council’s refusal, were turned down.