COMMUNITY leaders have said a proposed controversial superstore would be ugly, intrusive and out of scale.

Members of Manningtree Town Council have now publicly opposed plans to build a 30,000 sq ft superstore in Station Road, Manningtree, in an 11 page submission.

The document was written by town council clerk Becca Kenneison in response to the controversial planning application submitted to Tendring Council in May by supermarket chain Tesco.

The letter, which is being sent to Tendring Council, lists road network issues and traffic concerns, as well as the retail impact, as factors in the town council’s opposition.

Employment issues, local opinion and a reduction of the quality of life of those living nearby are also addressed in the document.

The council claims the already awkward traffic situation in the town would be made more dangerous and congested, and it says the store would have a negative impact on trade and employment.

It also claims the proposed store is not sympathetic to the historic town and describes it as “ugly”, “intrusive” and “out of scale”.