Aylsham Tesco finally gets approval

Tesco has finally come out on top in Aylsham after four years of work to appease townsfolk. Many design changes have been made to the new superstore's design after Broadland District Council decided the original off-the-peg design was not in keeping with the character of the historic market town. Outline permission had been granted in 2002, but it was not until yesterday that councillors finally voted unanimously to give the green light for a Tesco superstore in Norwich Road. A raft of conditions accompanies the planning permission. These include dealing with underground fuel storage tanks and pipes and creating new footpaths, before work starts. The final low-profile design incorporates a pantiled canopy supported by brick piers and buttresses at the entrance, green oak timbers for a gable entrance and Flemish bond brickwork panels. Canopy trolley parks have been ditched for open trolley storage areas. It is not known when work will start on the site. Katherine Edwards, spokeswoman for Tesco, said, “We are obviously really delighted at the result and we look forward to being able to being a store to Aylsham. We will let people know when work is due to start as soon as there is more detail.”