The District Council have refused planning permission for a new Tesco store on Ware Road.

At a packed meeting of the council's Development Control committee last Wednesday (24th), councillors voted unanimously to reject the plans. Over 500 letters of opposition were received by planning officers, who recommended refusal on grounds of overdevelopment and unsympathetic design.

Councillors were scathing over the plans, with Peter Ruffles (Con, Bengeo) referring to them as "an abomination"; whilst Suzanne Rutland-Barsby (Con, Castle) called the new store "an absolute monstrosity".

Tesco submitted the plans for an enlarged 49,000 sq.ft store back in July, following an exhibition and consultation in January.

The proposed store would be over twice the size of the existing outlet and would cover the entire site. The plan also featured 54 homes, a cafe and a community facility.

The proposals came a year after rival supermarket Sainsbury's held an exhibition to show off their designs for a supermarket on the old brewery site in Hartham Lane. However, those plans were withdrawn after planning officers recommended refusal. They have now submitted a revised application.

Hertford Residents Against Tesco Expansion had called the new store "a monstrous unsympathetic eyesore in our county town".

Hertford is currently served by three supermarkets. In addition to Tesco, there is also a Waitrose and M&S Simply Food.

Have your say and tell us what you think about Tesco's plans.

More computer generated images of the new store.

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