Leech Demands Protection for the Environment from Giant Superstores

10.04.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 1st Aug 2006

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has called on Government departments to work together to protect local communities and the environment from the development of huge superstores.

Speaking during a debate on the food industry, John Leech questioned the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the impact on the environment of huge new supermarkets. He raised the current planning application by Tesco for a new superstore in Stretford, and asked the Secretary of State to work with colleagues from the Department of Communities and Local Government to protect local shopping centres from such developments.

John Leech MP said:

"I have objected to the planned superstore in Stretford because of the damaging effect it could have on small independent shops in Chorlton, and also the increase traffic congestion that it would bring."

"Now I have challenged the Government to give greater importance to these sorts of issues when planning applications for large supermarkets are submitted."

End

Notes to editors:

Text from the House of Commons debate on 20th July 2006:

John Leech (Manchester, Withington, Liberal Democrat):

Tesco is trying to build an 88,000 sq ft supermarket just outside my Constituency near to Chorlton town centre, which would lead to even more congestion and pollution in the area, as well as impact on the viability of local shops. Will the Secretary of State commit to urgent discussions with his ministerial colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government with a view to protecting our local centres from these environmentally damaging developments?

David Miliband (Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs):

The way in which the hon. Gentleman poses the question suggests that he knows that planning policy is not something that falls to DEFRA, but I am happy to say that I will look into the case, consistent with the important principle that Ministers do not interfere with planning decisions.