Tesco Store Market Harborough - Minister of State Considers Way Forward

Minister for State for Housing and Planning, Brandon Lewis MP, has confirmed in writing that he is set to look at the Call In Criteria outlined in the Ministerial Statement of October 26th 2012. It will then be decided regarding the possible way forward for the 'Tesco planning application on Rockingham Road Market Harborough'. Until Mr Lewis has an answer to that question Harborough District Council has been instructed to put the issuing of the Decision Notice on hold!

Liberal Democrat Councillors Phil Knowles, Sarah Hill and Barbara Johnson called on Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, in a letter to satisfy himself that he feels the Council Planning Committee decision is robust and the right one for the community. This against a backcloth of the closeness of the vote, only being approved by the casting vote of the Planning Committee Chairman. There has been a string of letters to the local press with opinion swinging back and forth including questions of interpretation of the footfall figures, market share and local community impact/benefit.

''This is such a major decision we felt it important to ask the Secretary of State the simple question - does he feel that he may want to call it in and look at it in his official capacity? We fully understand Mr Lewis has the need to be impartial and to first and foremost establish if it meets the call in criteria. From there, as his letter explains, he will decide the next step, a decision we await with interest.'' - Phil Knowles

Letter from Brandon Lewis MP to Cllr Phil Knowles can be down loaded here