RESIDENTS fiercely opposed to the arrival of supermarket giant Tesco in their town centre are appealing to district councillors to reject the plans once and for all.
The application for a Tesco Express in Wantz Road, Maldon, will go before Maldon District Council on Wednesday and infuriated locals are hoping it will be blocked.
Margaret Murphy, of Wantz Road, said: "I think it's absolutely disgusting that they've put in the application at all.
"It's completely unnecessary, we already have adequate supermarkets and this road can't handle any more traffic – we just don't want it."
Posters opposed to the application, which would transform the closed down pub, The Cups, into a convenience store, have been appearing in residents' windows since the proposals were lodged in August last year.
Bob Wyness, 64, of Mill Road, has spearheaded the campaign against the plans.
He said: "It's simply not going to bring anything to the town, it's only going to distract shoppers from other outlets. If it puts Costcutter out of business we could even lose our post office again.
"Our main concern however is safety at the junction and people parking on both sides of the road creating greater traffic.
"Several young people cross at that junction and it's going to become more and more dangerous."
More than 55 people attended a Town Council meeting back in October 2012 to express their anger at the plans, where the application was recommended for rejection by councillors.
But the final decision rests with the planning committee at Maldon District Council who will meet next week.
Judy Lea, of the Maldon Society, said: "We would urge the committee members at the very least to postpone a decision until the road safety issue can be looked at in far more detail. It is deplorable that Highways made no comment on this.
"This is a corner location, on a crossroads, with schools nearby. Now that traffic is one way, residents have also noticed the traffic is travelling faster.
"Some members recall a previous fatal accident and others with heavy goods driving experience have examined the altered layout and consider the lorries will have extreme difficulty coping.
"The residents themselves want housing, not shops that duplicate existing fragile provision at the adjacent Co-op and the length of the nearby High Street.
"We would therefore urge members to give the lead in asking officers to work with the current owner to enable him to forego Tesco's doubtless lucrative offer and come forward with an acceptable housing scheme, which should also bring a handsome return.
"If all else fails, Maldon residents can vote with their feet and make sure they sustain the overall choice of suppliers by maintaining custom at the Co-op and other existing shops, so ensuring this particular Tesco doesn't become profitable. Tesco is not invincible."
Tesco did not respond to the Chronicle's request for a comment.
