Tesco withdraws plans for London superstore

Tesco has withdrawn its plans to build a superstore and 269 new homes on Old Kent Road after claims the scheme could undermine new shops in Elephant and Castle.

Tesco had been planning a major redevelopment of the London site, but encountered major opposition based on fears it would undermine shops at the nearby £1.5bn regeneration of Elephant and Castle.

Strong opposition had been voiced by the Elephant and Castle consortium, Mayor Boris Johnson, Transport for London and Southwark Council, reported the Evening Standard.

The Mayor’s planning team said it breached the London Plan because it would not be in a designated retail centre.

According to the newspaper, Tesco is committed to the plan and has said it will rethink it.