Plans for a Tesco store in Littleborough have been approved

The site on Stockton Street, Littleborough where the Tesco supermarket will be built

Controversial plans to build a Tesco store in the heart of Littleborough have been passed by Rochdale Borough Council Licensing and Regulatory Committee in a meeting this evening (Tuesday 28 January).

The vote was passed with five councillors voting for the plans and four councillors voting against the plans.

Councillor Ann Stott said: “Whilst the decision was greatly disappointing to me and the other objectors it was a very close vote. I think the store will decimate the town but I really hope it doesn’t.”

Councillor Billy Sheerin, who was also against the plans, said: “The vote was done in a democratic way. Everything was well discussed and both the objectors and the planners put across strong arguments, which were listened to.

"My issue is that I don’t want what has happened in Rochdale to happen in Littleborough. If you look in Rochdale now, the town is empty and I don’t want to see that happen to Littleborough.”

Residents of Littleborough who attended were left disappointed with the decision with some residents shouting “shame” to councillors after the decision was made.

Eric Pulford, a Littleborough resident who is against the Tesco plans and who attended tonight’s meeting, said: “I am disgusted and upset about the decision. Some of the councillors who voted in favour of the plans don’t even know about Littleborough. It was a very interesting meeting.”

Eric’s wife Christine added: “I am deeply disappointed with the decision. It didn’t come as a surprise because we knew that we didn’t stand a chance against Tesco, but we thought that by putting a strong case together, that councillors would listen.

"It is very, very sad news. I think the location is going to cause huge problems and put people at risk. I just hope now the people who have been against it stay against it and keep Littleborough local.”

Simon France who runs Littleborough Local, a community website which provides information about Littleborough, said: “I think it is a difficult one. I think it was always going to be difficult to try and stop something that is bringing in jobs. I know that when I have spoken to people, the majority of the public wanted it.

"I will do everything in my power to keep promoting the independent businesses and make sure that they do survive. I think that if they keep working hard and providing people with the good quality products that they do, then they will survive.

"Hopefully by having the Tesco, it will stop people going to Rochdale and will bring the food shop closer for people.”

John Kay, Littleborough resident and a director of Rochdale Online, supports the plans for Tesco and said: “I have always supported Tesco coming to Littleborough so I am very pleased that the plans have been approved.

"I think it is now time for Tesco to show that they can support the life and business within Littleborough centre and prove to those who did oppose the plans that they were wrong.”