Six-year supermarket (From Gazette Series)

Six-year supermarket

STROUD District Council chief executive David Hagg is to be asked to explain why it is taking so long to build a Tesco supermarket in Dursley.

The ultimatum will be delivered by Dursley Town Council which is fed up waiting for the project to take shape.

The Tesco scheme has been in the pipeline for several years, but despite regular updates on "progress" from the district council, there is still no sign of a planning application.

Cllr Jim Froggatt told the town council this week: "We have been talking about this supermarket for six years now. It seems that nobody is keeping control of what is going on."

A number of different projects including a new fire station, a new youth centre and an artificial sports pitch are all being held up because of the delays with the Tesco project.

Cllr Geoff Wheeler (Lab), who is Dursley's Gloucestershire county councillor as well as a town councillor, said: "I find the whole situation rather incredible and very disappointing because so many projects are hanging on for the resolution of the supermarket issue.

"Dursley seems to suffer from a blight of places where something is going to happen but we never find out what."

Town councillors also suggested increasing the pressure on Tesco to see if it really wanted to come to the town.

Cllr Brian Marsh, Dursley's Liberal Democrat district councillor, said: "I believe Tesco have changed their solicitors and are wanting to renegotiate all their ongoing projects. They are effectively starting again from scratch.

"If they don't get their act together by Christmas then I suggest we find another supermarket because they are treating us like country bumpkins."

Cllr Wheeler and Dursley district councillor Hilary Fowles (Lab) have vowed to try and sort the problems out.

Cllr Fowles told the Gazette: "Either this project is a priority or it isn't and it is becoming clear that making something happen in Dursley is nowhere near the top of the district council's list.

"We have been waiting for a number of years now and we are now at the stage where no-one in Dursley believes this is going to happen - it is not good enough.

"Nothing can excuse taking six years to get this through."

Cllr Fowles' comments come in the light of a letter from the district council's head of regeneration to the town council.

The letter from Alison Fisk reiterates Tesco's commitment to the town, but calls a previously suggested Christmas 2005 opening an "unrealistic expectation".

However, the district council cabinet member for economic development and regeneration insists that everything is heading in the right direction.

Cllr Nigel Studdert-Kennedy (Con, The Stanleys) said: "Stroud District Council continues to work very hard to bring Tesco to Dursley.

"Anyone who has bought a house can imagine the process when three landowners are involved in a complex deal."

But, in what is the latest in a series of public disputes between the Conservative administration and the Labour group leader, Cllr Studdert-Kennedy said Cllr Fowles was making "false accusations" over the issue and suggested she brought her time as a councillor to an end.

He added: "Staff and councillors should definitely not be obliged to waste council taxpayers' money answering false accusations from anyone.

"This type of intervention, not to mention interference, does nothing to smooth the path of progress.

"The likely outcome is that the supermarket will be built despite the efforts of Cllr Fowles rather than because of them.

"Perhaps she should be considering the wisdom of continuing in office."