'NEW TESCO WILL BE EYESORE ' Plan not good for town says MP.

Byline: By BARRY GIBSON Local Government Reporter

AN "EYESORE" new Tesco would not be good for Huddersfield, says the town's MP.

Barry Sheerman says the supermarket giant is running rings round Kirklees Council in negotiations for the town centre redevelopment.

A new Tesco is planned at the site of Huddersfield Sports Centre on Southgate.

The existing supermarket at Viaduct Street would be flattened, allowing Tesco to use the land for housing, offices, shops and a hotel.

The plans would also see a new sports centre on the site of the Springwood Car Park.

ButMr Sheerman saysKirklees is not getting a good deal.

He said: "Tesco is a big global company with a lot of experience at getting what is good for Tesco.

"As good as I believe many of the Kirklees officers are I think that when they are dealing with Tesco they need high-level outside help from a consultant.

"The deal is not going to be good for the people of Huddersfield. There's a great danger that Tesco is running rings round us."

Mr Sheerman fears a new Tesco would damage the town in various ways.

He said: "I haven't seen a proper evaluation of the impact on the environment or on other retailers; this store would sell things like fridges and washing machines.

"A new Tesco would also impact the transport network. The Tesco in Brighouse has made the town a no-go area during much of the day."

The MP also says there hasn't been enough consultation on the plan.

He said: "This is a major development which will change the nature of Huddersfield for years to come, so I would expect genuine community consultation.

"But all I've seen is a caravan in the town centre on a Saturday afternoon." Mr Sheerman added that representatives of Tesco had failed to show up to two meetings with him in the last few months.

And the MP is unimpressed with the proposed design of the supermarket.He said: "It's an architectural eyesore, it's ghastly. It's even worse than the one in Brighouse."

Mr Sheerman is also concerned that the council's Cabinet, which is negotiating the deal with Tesco, doesn't represent Huddersfield.

He said: "Not one of the people making these decisions is from Huddersfield because there's a Conservative administration."

But council leader Clr Robert Light rejected this criticism. He said: "It's a puerile comment. It's absolutely ridiculous; in that case half the Government shouldn't be making laws for England."

The Conservative also denied that Tesco was running rings round Kirklees.

He said: "It's sad that Barry Sheerman - who likes to think he knows about everything - hasn't taken the time to look at this carefully.

"Council officers will be happy to show him the work that has gone on, including taking outside advice, which was that it was a very good deal."

Tesco corporate affairs manager Neil Skitt also offered to talk to the MP.

He said: "We would welcome the opportunity to meet Mr Sheerman to go through our plans.We're grateful for his views and those of all local people with whom we have spoken as part of our consultation over the past few months."

Mr Skitt defended the proposed development, saying: "We believe our store design is iconic and fits in with its surroundings. We are working with local traders to ensure that our investment benefits local shops too.

"On top of the existing jobs in-store the replacement Tesco will create around 300 more jobs in Huddersfield. Many will be among the long-term unemployed.

"We believe our investment is good news for our customers and local people."

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CAPTION(S):

BIG PLANS: The proposed site for the new Tesco store on the sports centre site; it is being opposed by MP Barry Sheerman (right) but is backed by Kirk lees Council leader Robert Light (bottom)