A demonstrator is urging protestors to wear blue stripes in defiance of a proposed Tesco development in Highams Park

The supermarket giant will learn if it is allowed to build a 24-hour store, 253 homes, a 350-space underground car park, shops and rented space on industrial land off Larkshall Road, Highams Park, tomorrow night (Tuesday) at a planning committee hearing.

And Jo Abbess, an environmental campaigner, of Beech Hall Road, Highams Park, has organised a protest against the proposed development before the meeting.

Writing on her blog, Ms Abbess said: “Tesco's plan is an urban design for a suburban setting, and it won't work.

“The store will most likely fail. The congestion and traffic will make the road system even more clogged and unsafe. Air quality will be made worse.”

She is encouraging protesters wear clothing with blue stripes, mimicking the retailers' blue striped carrier bags.

Ms Abbess added: “Tesco have not admitted that their development would increase local carbon dioxide emissions, and that the food they sell will become progressively more expensive as energy prices rise in future.”

Neighbouring Redbridge Council has objected to Tesco's plans because it claims that the shopping area in South Woodford would lose ten per cent of its trade if the development goes ahead.

The nearby authority also believes the development's location contravenes its planning guidelines, those of Waltham Forest Council and government guidelines on building in town centres.

Council officers have recommended that Tesco makes a £530,245 contribution to local primary and secondary school expansions and £1 million to healthcare costs if a polyclinic is not built.

Officers also recommend that Tesco contribute £353, 375 to the cost of improving roads near the proposed store.

The council has also advised Tesco to contribute £170,000 to planting new trees and public art.

A previous Tesco application to build on the site was blocked by the secretary of state for local government and communities Ruth Kelly, who ruled the previous plan was not in keeping with its surroundings.

A Tesco spokesman said: “Tesco has got to get the design right. We have put a lot of work into this and have received the support of council officers and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.”

Regarding the impact of traffic, he said Tesco had independent traffic assessments which said the proposed store would not cause traffic problems in Highams Park.

He added that the proposed store had received an air quality assessment and council officers were happy that air quality was not going to decline sufficiently if the store gets planning permission.

The demonstration will take place at 6.30pm on the steps of the Town Hall in Forest Road, Walthamstow, tomorrow (Tuesday) before the meeting at 7.30pm.