Article by Paul Townsend
Last Friday chamber member Sri from the Best one on Oxford Road & myself met with Nicola Blackwood MP & Mathew Barber, Leader of the Vale Council, to discuss the Tesco Express on Oxford Road. This was only a short meeting but with a very positive outcome. Pubs & Small supermarkets fall under "retail" as a purpose of use, so no planning permission is needed to change from a pub to mini supermarket. They do however need planning permission for any change of signage, changes to the front of the building, installation of air conditioning units & for changing the enterance to the car park. The planning application is imminent for the site on the Oxford Road. Mathew Barber is going to ask OCC Highways authority to do a traffic survey on the Oxford Road area before any permission is made. There may be restrictions on delivery times so as they do not coinside with the Convent school just down the road. The Oxford Road site just falls outside of the conservation area in Abingdon so there is little reason for objection for signage or changes to the front of the building.
Nicola Blackwood is going to contact Tesco to ask about any future plans that Tesco may have for Abingdon and the surrounding villages.
Paul Townsend
President
Abingdon chamber of Commerce
