Plan to double Tesco shop refused

Plans to extend a Tesco store in an Oxfordshire town have been rejected at a council meeting.

The supermarket giant wanted to almost double the size of the main store on Pingle Drive near Bicester Village.

But it was refused planning permission by councillors who said they wanted to promote development in the town centre.

Tesco said it was "very disappointed" with the decision, which it said would not help the 80% of people who said in a survey that they supported the plan.

Councillor Michael Gibbard said if the store had been given the green light, it would have drained resources from the town centre.

Cherwell District Council said it took the decision because it wanted to promote retail development in the town centre and not encourage more out-of-town development.

A spokesman for Tesco said: "Tesco is obviously very disappointed with the committee's decision.

"Interestingly of those who responded to our public consultation over 80% showed support for a larger Tesco at Pingle Drive to prevent them having to drive further afield.

"This decision does not help them.

"We will now be reviewing our position and in particular the function of the Sheep Street store."

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