THERE was celebration among campaigners as plans for a Tesco Express in Wantz Road, Maldon, were rejected by councillors.
The decision to refuse the proposal to transform The Cups pub into a mini supermarket followed months of protests by residents who argued it would take business from the high street, and threaten safety on the narrow roads.
Speaking in opposition to the plans at the district central planning committee meeting on March 20, resident Bob Wyness said: "This is not about a convenience store, it is about the safety and quality of life of local people.
"There will be a substantial loss of amenity to residents and the additional cars attracted by a second shop at this junction will cause absolute chaos.
"This shop will not bring new trade to the town. It will draw trade from existing shops and if the Costcutter closes we lose our post office too.
"The increased traffic and parking will also exacerbate the danger to the many young and infirm people who cross the road here."
District councillors at the meeting agreed with many of the arguments, and spoke of the "stress and worry" residents had gone through as they waited for a decision.
Leading the debate, Councillor Stephen Savage said: "We can't allow 7.5-tonne vehicles to drive along that road, it would be a traffic offence.
"I'm wider than parts of it so how can you get a large lorry down there?"
Councillor Mark Heard added: "We have had 55 letters of objection to this and I can understand why.
"There is clearly going to be a problem with noise and the proposals for a 10m fence to be built."
Turning to the filled seats in the council offices Cllr Pearlman added: "I remember the town council meeting last year when everybody showed up to fight this, there was standing room only.
"Now these poor people have had to go through all that stress and worry again, we need to make a decision and vote on this now."
In a recorded vote the rejection was almost unanimous, with just one abstention from Cllr Cain.
"The design is contrived and cramped on the site. It's just not an application that constitutes good planning," added county councillor Penny Channer, who attended in a non-voting capacity.
The decision was met with a round of applause from campaigners who had attended the meeting at Maldon District Council offices.
When asked if it would appeal the decision or provide a comment on the council's decision, Tesco did not respond to the Chronicle.
