Every little helps to see through the Tesco spin

If there's something strange in your neighbouhood? Who you gonna call? Spinbusters.

Well when it comes to a proposed giant superstore development at Ashton Gate, who do you believe? Bristol City, Tesco or BERATE the campaign group against the development. Well now the planning application is in, Bristol City Council has employed a firm of consultants to give them an independent view. To see through the spin.

DPDS Regional Limited have had a look at the application and this is what its found.

Spin - The area needs a new store
Busted - The application has not demonstrated a retail need for the development.

Spin - A new store won't impact on the existing stores
Busted - yes it would. Taking trade from Sainsbury, Asda and local retailers.

Spin - The store is accessible
Busted - Yes but only by car. It offers poor access by walking, cycling and public transport.

Spin - It will create 400 jobs
Busted - The jobs created by Tesco would be off set by job losses elsewhere.

Spin - The store boosts economic and physical regeneration?
Busted - The application offers no evidence for these benefits, and therefore the council should give little weight to this arguments.

You can read the full report online.

The report concludes that without the case put for this to be an enabling development for the new stadium, its analysis would point to a refusal of planning permission. This means that the Planning Committee has to weigh up the benefits of a new stadium against the harm to Southville, Ashton and Bedminster and the vitaility of the current retailers in the area.

It's not a knock out blow to the development. But it is a pretty hefty right hook. If you are against the proposal don't sit back. Keep campaigning, Keep saying TesNo!

Read more about this story on the Evening Post website and on Bristol 24/7.