14 March 2007, 16:35 PM
  • Members of the Highland Council's City of Inverness Planning Applications committee have unanimously rejected an application for a fourth Tesco supermarket in the city.

The decision is a breath of fresh air for the inhabitants of the Ness Side area where the supershop had been planned.

Tesco was planning the development over 4,447 m2, with additional commercial units, land for a hotel, medical centre and car parking.

This would have been the fourth shop from the multiple in the city, which has been nicknamed Tesco Town, by the opposing side to the project.

The chain has gained an increasing power in Scotland since it took over the William Low chain and now accounts for more than half of the money spend on food in Inverness.

The committee heard that the council had received 73 letters, as well as a petition containing 1,054 signatures, expressing concerns regarding the proposal.

Members also heard the view of the council’s Transport Environmental and Community services, which felt the application for such a project was premature.

The proposal fell contrary to the city local plan in respect for retailing as the proposed supershop was of too big a scale for the Ness District and would have a detrimental effect on small retailers.

Tesco is now weighing up its options and is entitled to appeal to the Scottish Executive Enquiry Reporter’s Unit if it still wanted to go through.