Controversial Tesco to finally get the nod

Tesco is likely to have its controversial Balham Hill development authorised this week - more than four years after Wandsworth Council went to the High Court to try to stop it. The decision comes 14 months after the retail giant opened the supermarket without active planning consent.
Tesco was told by Lambeth Council to submit an entirely new application after it demolished an excessive amount of the listed Cooper Building. The company failed to comply with conditions imposed to protect the Clapham Conservation Area and ensure public safety. These conditions were set by then Secretary of State Stephen Byers in December 2001. He decided to grant planning permission despite a Government inspector recommending rejection of the Tesco plans.