Jubilant councillors today spoke of their relief as supermarket giant Tesco gave up the fight for a new store in Benfleet.

Bosses pulled the plug on plans for any new stores in the Benfleet area after a Government planning inspector threw out plans for a Tesco Express on the site of a former petrol garage at 260 to 272 London Road.

Tory councillor Jacky Govier said: "I don't honestly feel the site was appropriate as there was not enough parking.

"The access would have been difficult in and out of the site on to the London Road which may have caused traffic congestion.

"It was not ideal and I'm sure it could be built somewhere more strategically placed."

Published Monday January 5, 2004

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