CHANGES to a planned Tesco in Ilminster were minor and not worthy of a public exhibition, the supermarket giant said today (Monday, March 5).

The lack of public consultation on the new Shudrick Lane store was one of several concerns the News put to Tesco on behalf of the people of Ilminster.

As reported, Tesco's latest Ilminster supermarket scheme was rejected by South Somerset District Council's Area West committee on February 21 and will now be considered by the same council's regulation committee on March 20.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Felix Gummer said: "Planning consent was originally gained by a property developer, Albourne Estates, which was responsible for the consultation on the original planning application.

"They then marketed the site to Tesco who took over the responsibility for the development of the site.

"I strongly refute that we do not consult fully on our schemes, as we hold a public exhibition as a minimum for any new Tesco superstore.

"In this instance the original application was not ours and we did offer a presentation to the town council on our proposed amendments.

"They did not desire a full presentation and the planning officer described the proposals as 'minor alterations' only and so we felt these did not need a public exhibition."

At last month's Area West meeting, it was claimed Tesco has been building the store car park to the design of the as yet unapproved application.

Mr Gummer said: "Tesco has not carried out any construction works that we do not already have planning permission for."

It was also claimed at the meeting that by increasing the size of its delivery area, Tesco is making space for a future store expansion.

But Mr Gummer said: "The reason for moving the store is not to do with expansion. We are moving it because of the tightness of the store."

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