No welcome here

Of those who voted to adopt this plan, 95 per cent agreed that they wished to 1, support local businesses; 2, improve the aesthetic appeal of Barnham; 3, add ‘leisure’ type development, e.g. restaurants or alternative shops to attract visitors.

In their report, the plan’s advisors remarked that ‘the village experiences...transient retail outlets...The high proportion of new outlets and vacant units would suggest conditions are challenging...’.

But not, of course, for our friendly local retail giant, Tesco. It seems they have had their eye on Barnham for a while and have now seized their chance by getting hold of the Barnham Bridge Inn, a good example of Victorian railway era architecture which, in the right hands, could have been restored to provide an attractive addition to the village centre.

Imaginative approaches – such as a community hub, restaurant and/or attractive residential accommodation would all have contributed to the local community.

It is well known and documented that supermarkets suck the life out of local shops, and with a Co-op and the Trading Post, as well as local baker and butcher, it is quite obvious that Barnham is already well served with food retailers – all of which will be affected.

In spite of the fact that Tesco will not stock anything these shops don’t, the reason they have been able to get in is to do with national planning law, under which pubs can be converted to shops (with licensing) with no planning application necessary. Incredible.

I would also like to bring residents’ attention to the fact that Tesco are currently applying for a licence to sell alcohol from 6am until 11pm, every day of the week. Can that possibly be a sane idea?

I urge anyone concerned about this to write to Simon Davis, in the planning department at Arun District Council ([email protected]) to object to both the licensing application and the application for a Tesco shopfront - which as most will surely agree will not be a pretty sight.

Please, let Tesco know they are not welcome in Barnham.

Isabel Thurston

Little Barton

Church Lane

Barnham

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