Planning officers have recommended New Forest District Council give Tesco the go-ahead to turn a defunct forecourt into a convenience store with 2,100sq ft of retail space, despite hundreds of objections from residents.
The site, in Milford on Sea, Hants, ceased trading as a filling station some time ago due to “viability issues” and has since been used to operate a hand car wash business, now also closed, leading to Tesco to seek to redevelop it as large shop shorn of garage facilities.
Some 629 locals have objected to the plans, citing concerns a large Tesco convenience store would have a negative impact on the village, while also putting two existing stores under pressure.
The council’s planning officer has recommended the project be granted permission, however, advising the authority, which has the ultimate say, that the shop would rejuvenate a semi-derelict plot and be compatible with the existing retail offerings in Milford.
New Forest District Council is due to rule on the project on Wednesday 11 February.
