Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith asks Boris Johnson to intervene in Tesco decision for Highams Park (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith asks Boris Johnson to intervene in Tesco decision for Highams Park

10:14am Thursday 24th December 2009 in

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CHINGFORD MP Iain Duncan Smith has called on Boris Johnson to investigate Waltham Forest Council’s decision to approve of a large Tesco development.

Mr Duncan Smith says residents are having the scheme in Highams Park “rammed down their throats” and is concerned at the way the planning committee reached its decision.

The development, which includes 250 homes, shops and a 24-hour Tesco superstore, has been met with fierce local opposition, with campaigners claiming it will cause traffic congestion and is too large for the area.

But some residents and businesses agree with Tesco that the scheme off Larkshall Road will bring much-needed boost to a struggling local economy. Iain Duncan Smith himself said Highams Park “will die” if the scheme goes ahead and has not given up the fight to prevent it.

Following a refusal to intervene by the Government Office for London, which blocked a previous Tesco plan for the empty industrial site, Mr Duncan Smith has pleaded with the Mayor of London to investigate the committee’s approval.

Mr Johnson recently sent a letter to Mr Duncan Smith saying there was nothing he could do, but the Conservative MP said he was not satisfied with the response and has since spoken with the Mayor in person.

Mr Duncan Smith added: “I felt that he needed to understand that nobody wants this, except for the local council planning committee - none of whom were elected from the area.

"There is real anger that it has been rammed down residents’ throats.”

Mr Duncan Smith is unhappy about the way the decision was made at committee on October 13 because of comments made at the time by the council’s legal advisor and committee chairman Cllr Masood Ahmad, who is required to remain impartial during the debate.

Both said that a £1.5 million Tesco contribution to education and health services in the area would be lost if planning approval was not given.

Conservative councillors have submitted a formal complaint about the comments and Mr Duncan Smith has asked the Mayor of London to look at whether proper process was followed.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “I am concerned about the way the decision was made at committee. I am concerned it wasn't fair.”

“The fight is not over,” he added.