Residents fight 'corporate greed' of Asda and Tesco (From Times Series)

Residents fight 'corporate greed' of Asda and Tesco

4:02pm Thursday 24th July 2008 in

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A new Barnet campaign to fight building bids by two supermarket giants gained momentum last weekend.

More than 250 people viewed plans by Tesco and Asda to regenerate the area at the New Barnet Community Centre, in Victoria Road, on Saturday.

The majority signed a “Save New Barnet” petition opposing both proposals, putting the total number of signatures at 1,050.

David Howard, trustee of New Barnet Community Association, organising the event, said the association’s alternative proposals pro-ved more popular than the supermarkets’ plans.

These proposals included boosting existing businesses, providing affordable three-to-five-bedroom homes, and improving roads and community facilities.

Mr Howard said: “We think this is corporate greed in the extreme. We don’t need Tesco or ASDA. It’s going to be the death of our area.

“Traffic jams will be a nightmare — they are too big already and our infrastructure is not strong enough to cope.

“Our plans show the need for houses, small shops and a community, not more supermarkets.”

Tesco’s proposals, covering the area between East Barnet Road and Victoria Road, include a 45,000 sq ft Tesco store, 16 units of shops and restaurants, a piazza, 250 homes and “extensive” green space. It also promises improved road capacity and free town centre parking.

Asda plans to develop the old gasworks site off Albert Road with a 78,038 sq ft store, a range of apartments, parking and highway improvements.

Both developments would contain one-to-seven-storey buildings, though Asda said the taller buildings would be placed by the railway line.

Spokesmen for both companies said they hoped opposition would diminish through further discussion and stressed that plans were not finalised.

But residents, councillors and Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers believe the supermarkets face an impossible battle.

Victoria Road resident Jonathan Ashby said he “recoiled in horror” at the proposals, while Councillor Robert Rams was adamant the area “does not need either supermarket”.

Ms Villiers said: “I am opposed to both of these developments. Their density and height would increase the pressure of traffic and be out of keeping with the surrounding area of low-rise suburban homes.”

Residents can voice their views at the Residents’ Community Association meeting every Thursday at 8pm at the Community Centre, 48 to 50 Victoria Road.