By Jon Griffin, Evening Mail,
Mon,Nov 5th 2007
A HUGE £30 million retail park providing 250 new jobs in Birmingham has been rejected after a five-and-a- half year battle — in favour of a Tesco supermarket.
Joint plans by Midlands Co-op and Solihull developers Helical Retail for a massive mixed-use scheme at Stirchley have been throwi out by Birmingham City Council. The council’s decision to opt for another Tesco supermarket in the city has sparked a furious response from the Co-op, who are due to hold talks with their solicitors over a possible legal challenge.
Approval of the Tesco plan has delivered a hammer blow to a long anticipated £30 million retail complex which would have also provided housing, road improvements and new community amenities — with 250 new jobs. Midlands Co-op bosses claim the planning battle over their plan for Hazelwell Lane, Stirchley — which has been running since March 2002 — has consistently favoured Tesco.
A statement from the Lichfield-based society said: “To say that we are disappointed at the long-awaited outcome of this exercise is an understatement.
“We hope to receive feedback in the near future to explain why Tesco was chosen. “However, since we have been part of the Stirchley conmmnity for 150 years, we can be forgiven for stating that in our opinion this decision is not what is best for the people of Stirchley.
“The Helical Retail proposal would have provided much needed regeneration to Stirchley, rather than simply duplicating what already exists in the area.”
A Co-op spokeswoman added: “We are not afraid of competition. We trade successfully against Tesco’s and others throughout our trading area.
“In fact, we made provision within our plans for another food retailer.” Tony Fletcher, Tesco’s Corporate Affairs Manager for property, said: “I have not seen the reason why we have been chosen any more than they have.
“Our proposals are designed to give regeneration to the area as well.” No-one was immediately available for comment from Birmingham City Council.

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