I AM writing with regard to the proposed Tesco Express Development on the site of Squirrel Inn, Areley Kings.

Myself and all local residents that I have spoken to feel very strongly that this application is to the detriment of the local community and is being driven by an aggressive, planning-savvy corporation in line with the desire to expand their market share irrespective of the consequences to local communities.

As the community of Areley Kings do not have a legal department I would assume that it is the task of the local authority to represent our interests throughout the planning process and would like to know how this is being done.

My prime concern is that the proposed site on Areley Common is effectively a single track road due to cars parked on the carriageway opposite the site. In the two years that I have lived in Areley Kings I have NEVER known both sides of the carriageway to be in use. This causes considerable problems to local residents already with the current level of traffic using the local shop.

The new Tesco development would be situated right in the middle of this 600-metre single carriageway and would attract a great deal more vehicular traffic as the store would attract the use of people from all over Stourport until 10 pm.

The majority of this additional traffic will be coming from Stourport to use Tescos and then trying to return to Stourport down a single track road which has a pedestrian crossing on it.

I cannot imagine how it can be argued that this will benefit a small community already served by an existing shop and post office, indeed residents unanimously feel that this will adversely affect the local area and I personally feel that it is unacceptable for such a development to go ahead in the face of such local opposition when there are far more suitable sites currently derelict, brownfield or vacant in the town of Stourport.

PHIL JOHNSON Bowpatch Road Areley Kings