Housing association seeks legal advice as Clapton Tesco opens
Tesco Express opened today on Lower Clapton Road E5. Photo: Emily Webber
Whilst Tesco Express on Lower Clapton Road opened its doors for the first time today, residents of Alva and Shire Courts living above and behind the shop have been told by their housing association, Family Mosaic, that it is seeking legal advice.
In a letter dated today, 11 February 2011, and posted on a noticeboard inside the block at 144-146 Lower Clapton Road, it states: “Family Mosaic is still formally concluding all legal matters.”
In May last year, local campaigners staged a demonstration in opposition to plans to open the new store which, they argued, would cause disruption for those who live nearby and harm local shops. They also collected nearly 500 signatures on a petition to the council to reject the plans.
Update 2pm Tuesday 15 February 2011:
Whilst a Tesco spokesperson would not confirm or deny whether the legal paperwork had been completed before the opening of the store, both Tesco and Family Mosaic have told the Citizen that the legal paperwork for the store is now complete.
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “As a company we would not comment on negotiations and agreements with landowners or agents as these are confidential. All the planning consents and legal paperwork is completed. The store is extremely popular and the feedback we have received from customers has been excellent with people queuing to get in on opening morning. We look forward to becoming part of the community and serving local people.”
A spokesperson for Family Mosaic said: “I can confirm the paperwork is now complete. Tesco did commence trading before we expected them to and we are now working with Tesco and, most importantly, our residents to ensure they don’t experience any further inconvenience.”
What are the issues involved?
We are currently seeking clarification from Family Mosaic and Tesco. – Ed.
As a matter of record, many local residents are currently experiencing inconvenience with empty trolleys parked outside the shop, blocking the pavement, combined with delivery lorries double-parked on Clapton pond. Yesterday morning (09.05), this even blocked an ambulance trying to take someone from Rushmore Road to hospital. We have photographic evidence of all this. The council chose to set a precedent in lifting the ban on deliveries at this address and we now all suffer.
Not surprised about the parking problems. Which is why I voted against the change to parking conditions at a recent Planning sub committee.
Councillor Barry Buitekant
Councillor Rathbone and myself have written to the Council asking for enforcement action to be taken against Tesco because of the blatant way that they have broken the planning conditions concerning their lorries parking in the area and the blocking of the pavement by their shoppong cages.
Barry Buitekant
Councillor
Would this be a case of: we are developers we can do what we like; I am glad to see that there is someone in council who is chasing this up. Far too often planning conditions are broken and local residents are left to pick up the pieces.
Tesco express gave Family Mosaic £2000 to compensate for any upset caused from the early opening. Which somehow meant it turned into a breach of agreement into a”misunderstanding”.
Emily,I am not sure of all thats gone on here and hopefully the two councillors who have taken it on board will help.These types of conditions given to builders should be looked at more closely and not left to residents to have to go through all the aggravation that they are caused.I hope that The Citizen and councillors will keep us informed on the outcome of this.
always seems busy to me, seems like most people around here like it. better than that overpriced green shop.