Big trouble over Tesco's little extra

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco may have to give part of its new store over to the local community after it broke planning rules. Two years ago council planners granted permission for the store to be built in Portwood, Stockport. But local businesses and residents were outraged when the supermarket ignored its planning agreement and built an extra 18,000 sq metres of floorspace - 20 per cent more than had been agreed in the original plan. Campaigners are now hailing a council decision rejecting an application by Tesco for retrospective planning permission to allow it to use the extra space. The planning application is now likely to go before the full council planning committee where it could yet be granted.
A Tesco spokesman said: "We are obviously disappointed. The last thing we want is the store pulled down. We would certainly consider other uses."