HIGHAMS PARK: Tesco start demolishing 'unsafe' building (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

HIGHAMS PARK: Tesco start demolishing 'unsafe' building

12:04pm Monday 17th March 2008 in

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THE building on the site where Tesco unsuccesfully applied to build a supermarket will be demolished.

The retail giant will begin knocking down the Old Swiftflow Centre, which they own, in Jubilee Avenue today (Monday, March 17).

Tesco say they have decided to demolish the building for health and safety reasons.

The store's contractors Metro will remove asbestos and then knock down the former C&A building, which is regularly targeted by vandals.

The retailer was refused permission to build a superstore in June last year by the then Communities and Local Government Secretary of State, Ruth Kelly, and the planning inspector of a public inquiry.

Ms Kelly and the inspector argued that the store would be out of keeping with the Victorian and Edwardian buildings in Highams Park and the proposed store would be too big.

A Tesco spokeswoman refused to comment on what will be built on the development, but said the company will try to minimise disruption to residents.