Conflict of interest (From Gazette Series)

Conflict of interest

A POLITICAL party is this week pressing for a full-scale inquiry into the much-derided plans for a new supermarket in Dursley.

The Green Party, which has four members sitting on Stroud District Council, called for the inquiry after learning that the company hired to find evidence to support a supermarket in the town in 2002 had also carried out work for Tesco in other parts of the country.

It was revealed last week that there would be further delays to the supermarket project as the district council was seeking a new agent to work on re-marketing the Castle Street site.

Tesco withdrew its offer for the site earlier this year after agreeing to buy Cam Co-op.

Cllr John Marjoram (Trinity), who has spoken out against Tesco coming to Dursley on many occasions, said: "No one is saying anything illegal has happened in these cases, but as many have pointed out, this seems to be an example of planning laws being trampled on.

"There may have also been a failure to ensure that these external consultants do not have a conflict of interest.

"I am still very unhappy that the council didn't look at alternative ways of regenerating Dursley before it commissioned this report to justify a supermarket."

Cllr Marjoram said there were a number of cases across the country where councils were facing planning disputes with Tesco and called for the Government to take action to tackle the growing powers of supermarkets.

He added: "Sadly our government's response has been to listen to top retailers and they have watered down tough rules clamping down on out-of-town shopping development.

"The diversity of high streets and survival of small businesses and producers are under threat but increasingly people are recognising the need for action."

As the Gazette went to press, Stroud District Council was unavailable to comment.