Tesco extension abides by the rules, says council

Tesco’s controversial extension complies with planning guidelines and the company is therefore operating legally, the SIC stated today.

But members of the Lerwick Town Centre Association (LTCA) have asked for an urgent meeting with council officials for an explanation as to how the authority could come to such a conclusion.

In a statement issued by planning official John Holden today, the council said inspections had shown the store met the requirements of its planning permissions.

“The extension to the South Road store is now regarded as being fully operational, and it is the planning service’s view that at this point in time the company is complying with the terms of the planning permissions that relate to the site.”

However Laurence Smith of LTCA said the association was now seeking to secure a meeting with planning officials this Thursday. “It’s totally contrary to our understanding of the whole situation, and the correspondence we’ve had from the SIC over this issue.

“We’ve requested a meeting with them on Thursday. We want to hear from them what is going on.”

The statement was released just as the association was holding its regular committee meeting.

Tesco manager Paul Clelland said he was not surprised by the statement. “That’s what we’ve thought all along, but it’s good that they are of that opinion.”

He admitted further inspections may well be carried out in the future, however he was confident the store would continue to comply with any conditions laid down by the council.

“Our understanding has always been that we are working within the terms of the planning consent. That’s been stirred up by a minority of people. But we continue to focus on delivering for our customers.”