A victory by wholesaler AG Parfett and Sons in a dispute with Tesco involving an Extra store in Stockport should encourage independent retailers waging similar campaigns, according to Friends of the Earth.

Parfetts marshalled independents to petition local councillors to deny Tesco's application for retrospective planning permission for the store, which is 18,000 sq ft bigger than the 100,000 sq ft originally agreed.

Campaigners argued that the store would harm local communities by forcing smaller retailers to close. Tame Valley councillors were convinced of their case and refused permission because Tesco's store goes against the borough's overall development strategy.

Sandra Bell, FoE supermarkets campaigner, said: "This shows independents can win where they have

a strong case. In many instances the planning system is on their side, because National Planning Policy specifically aims to protect the diversity and vibrancy of town centres."

Bell said cases of major supermarkets' planning applications being crushed by local campaigners were rare, but not non-existent.

FoE is working with the Association of Convenience Stores on case studies for its Competition Commission submission on the effect on independent retailers of supermarket planning issues. An ACS spokesman said: "We're saying to the Commission that one of the biggest problems the planning system faces in retail is its bias towards the resources of bigger stores."

Steve Parfett, MD of Parfetts, said he was pleased with the council's decision, but there was a long way

to go and he was still not assured of victory in the long term. "The case still has to go to the Stockport Highways & Planning Committee for consideration on 21 September. Whatever happens there,

it then has to be referred

to the Government Office for the North West, then

the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister."

Tesco claims the extra space, which has been cordoned off for now, could

be used for storage if permission for it to be used as sales space was not granted.

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