"Give local people the power over superstores" - John Leech MP

11.41.46am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th May 2007

John Leech MP and Cllr Paul Ankers with local resident Victor Chamberlain outside Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton. (photography: Josh Glendinning)

John Leech MP is working with Cllr Paul Ankers to help preserve local shops

Local Liberal Democrat MP, John Leech, is fighting against government plans to take away decision-making powers from local authorities over whether superstores should be built in their area.

Small local shops and businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to stand up to the muscle of massive supermarkets. Many local businesses are closing as their trade is taken away, depriving communities of a vital resource.

The Labour government's planning review concluded that the "needs test" for deciding whether shops should be scrapped. The test allows local authorities to decide on whether an area needs a superstore or not and to act accordingly. It also allows councils to object to planning applications for superstores in other areas if they would seriously affect local shops.

Commenting on the proposals, John Leech MP said:

Many local people are frustrated with the behaviour of superstores like Tesco

"We need to be giving more power to local people to make important decisions like these not taking the power away. There has been a backlash against supermarkets in south Manchester, with many people making a point of shopping locally.

"In Chorlton, for example, there was a massive campaign from local shops and residents against the building of a Tesco superstore in neighbouring Stretford.

"I recently attended a public meeting with my colleague Cllr Paul Ankers, to discuss proposals for another Tesco on Barlow Moor Road. Over 100 people turned out to voice their opposition to the store, which would be both unnecessary and harmful to local businesses.

"If the needs test is scrapped then the supermarkets will be given even more power to put local newsagents, grocers, Post Offices and specialist shops out of business," John Leech added.

"Whilst residents are campaigning to protect our high street and local community, Labour are seeking to undermine our efforts," added Chorlton Councillor Paul Ankers,

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