Council rejects Tesco extension

Councillors have rejected a planning application which may have led to an extension of a new Tesco supermarket. Out of 21 members on Denbighshire council's planning committee, 18 voted to block the retail giant, which opened its Ruthin store in August. Councillors decided it could have a negative impact on other stores in the town centre. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), called the council's refusal "a victory for common sense over greed," Gwyn Evans, regional chairman, said the FSB had campaigned on behalf of local traders to block the application. He said: "We argued that the loss of nearly a million pounds turnover to the small traders in Ruthin was hardly conducive to sustaining an affluent feel in the town." Mr Evans said it would "protect the unique character of Ruthin." A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found businesses in the town were already suffering a downturn of 15 to 20% since Tesco opened, with some reporting a drop of up to 75% in takings. It also claimed around £800,000 had been lost by Ruthin businesses in the week since the store opened.

Councillors and common sense? Can we have some of that please?