LIB DEM WELCOMES NEWS ON KNOWLE TESCO PLANS

PLANNING officers are recommending refusal of three applications for the former Friendship pub site at Knowle, where Tesco wants to open a store - and local Lib Dem councillor Chris Davies has welcomed the news.
The applications for signage, an ATM cash machine and a new shop front should all be turned down at the development control (south and east) committee meeting on July 21, say officials.
And Chris Davies agrees. “Nearly 2,000 people signed a petition against having a store there and for keeping it in community use instead,” he said.
“So I welcome the latest planning recommendations, although my own personal concerns about parking and access to Axbridge Road haven’t been resolved yet.
“It was a real loss to the community when the Friendship closed.
“We’ve got a convenience store over the road, in any case. I want to encourage trade and business, but I would sooner community use of some sort on the old pub site.”
The old Friendship pub is being turned into a new Tesco and consent has already been given for a 12-space car park.
Planning officials say the proposed signage would harm the look of the building; the ATM could create an unsafe environment; and the shop front would jar with its surroundings.