TESCO has pulled out of trying to compete with Sainsbury for a new supermarket along the Eastrea Road, Whittlesey.
A surprise announcement on the Planning Inspectorate website revealed that Manea based Harrier Developments has withdrawn its appeal to build a supermarket alongside the proposed Sainsbury store.
It means – or should mean- full steam ahead for the Sainsbury store and adjoining commercial and retail park approved for March businessman Bruce Smith.
Mr Smith is still awaiting final confirmation of technical issues with Fenland Council which has delayed issuing of a section 106 agreement, the final piece of the equation.
Mr Smith is confident that can be achieved soon and, providing no judicial review is then called for of the planning permission, work can begin.
Harrier still has permission for a Tesco store on the Benwick Road industrial estate but there was no news tonight as to whether that would still go ahead.
Harrier had appealed the decision to allow Sainsbury to get a foothold in Eastrea Road and an appeal had been lodged and was due to get under way next month.
But a brief statement on the Planning Inspectorate website tonight revealed “appeal withdrawn” and so Fenland Council will not be called upon to defend their actions.
Some Whittlesey councillors had planned holidays around the November appeal to enable them to support the Sainsbury bid.
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