Esso get the thumbs down

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jun 2006

Lib Dem parliamentary challenger, Stephen Lloyd, spoke out this week at a meeting in the Town Hall against a planning application by the Esso Service Station for a Tesco mini-mart to be built at their petrol station in Kings Drive. The application was rejected by the planning committee.

Lloyd said: "When I was first contacted by local residents on the Rodmill Estate of Esso's planning application a few weeks ago, I saw immediately that if it went ahead it would be detrimental for the local area. My particular concerns were the additional traffic right by DGH and of the likely negative knock-on effect to the Framfield Way shopping centre of a Tesco mini-mart on their doorstep. All too often, we see how small community shops suffer when the big boys move in.so I was determined to support local residents in their fight against the proposal. Naturally, I was delighted when the planning committee threw out the application. A good result for local people".