Tesco would like to build on the former gas works in Harrogate, having revised their original plans. 

A new store would be considerably smaller than the original plans, with much less disruption and little to no disturbance to the surrounding Oak Beck. 

There is significant need,  not least because of the substantial building going on at this side of Harrogate, resulting in many visits across town to the alternatives that are on the South Side. Harrogate is currently trying to reduce emmissions and making the journeys shorter will be a significant step in the right direction. 

The currently shopping facilities on the North/West side of Harrogate are  limited with the Coop (a smaller local supermarket that does not have a range of produce at competitive prices that a larger Supermarket could bring), Aldi, which has proved popular, but again does not have a wide range, and a couple of smaller local shops such as the one on Electric Avenue. 

This shop offers a range of services that Tesco wouldn't, such as Collect Your Parcel  which is still a viable business in itself and will continue to encourage people to pop in as they do now. After all, Aldi is over the road and they have coped with that. 

Local residents nearby would have limited disruption as Tesco will not be open 24 hours. It will have its own parking and there will be no access from Electric Avenue. 

Electric Avenue is not a through road as such, so would not be used as a 'short cut'. 

Tesco have proposed the building be at a lower level to avoid the rear of the properties looking directly onto the store.

Whilst understanding the concern from the few immediate residents,  it is fair to say that building does happen all over and providing it is done considerately, then it can and does happen. This is currently shown by the immense amount of housing currently being built in areas where people previously had views and privacy..now finding themselves in the middle of an extending housing estate or with the lovely country views they once had obscured by new houses. 

There are 1000's of homes on this side of Harrogate, the majority of which will travel at varying times across town to other supermarkets.

A significant proportion of longer journeys will not need to be made, with a new supermarket close by. Tesco have detailed plans with their proposals. 

Development does happen and people need to shop.

The Coop (which is open from 6am until 11pm excluding Sunday's)  on the Jennyfields estate, has a significant number of properies extremely close by and yet all seem to cope well with each other. There appears no affect on property prices, indeed in some respects potential purchasers may see having a shop so close by as an assett. 

Many people do not have transport locally and rely on buses to take them elsewhere to go 'big' shopping, but this means they either cannot carry much back...so will make more journeys, or use a taxi home; again creating a car journey across town that, had a viable choice of supermarket been close by, they would not have had a need to make.  

The area is growing at a fast pace and it needs a supermarket that is close by and large enough to deal with the customers that are created from so much house building. Of course, lets also not forget about all the villages that stretch around this side of town  they also would be better served than having to not only travel to Harrogate, but then across town. 

Lastly..this land has been for sale with little interest and is an eyesore.  Now that Tesco have reconsidered their decision (having already had planning permission approved for a bigger store previously)  to sell the land and now wish to build again, surely this is the better option.  The land is not a 'nature reserve', but wasteland!

Job vacancies for local people, land in use and less likely to be victim to antisocial behaviour, electric charging points, bicycle spaces and landscaped to give minimal disruption to neighbouring properties. 

As a local disabled resident I would welcome Tesco and I hope others will show their support. Due to ill health we are unable to travel far and find local shops that sell what we like to buy, to be vastly more expensive than a larger supermarket. 

Please sign this petition to show your support.