Balham traders fear a decision to allow Tesco to build a new Metro' store at Clapham South may deliver a blow from which they cannot recover.

Small businesses were stunned when the supermarket giant was granted permission to build on the old South London Women's Hospital site, despite Government guidelines stating commercial developments should be discouraged outside of established town centres.

One trader who has run a family store in Balham since the 1950s said the development was going to murder the town.

He added: "Balham has always been the poor relation to the other town centres in Wandsworth and this could be the final nail in the coffin for local businesses.

"Soon the whole area will be full of restaurants and estate agents."

There is also concern over extra traffic congestion which the development will bring. The new store will include 150 parking spaces which protesters believe will encourage more cars to the area, which already heaves with traffic.

The number of parking spaces also appears to be in conflict with guidelines which state a need to promote alternative forms of transport other than cars.

Reverend Dorothy Nicholson, chairman of Balham Town Centre Partnership, said: "It's a very big store, I don't know any other Tesco Metros with that amount of parking. It's bound to have a negative affect both on traffic and on local businesses."

After Lambeth approved the scheme, the Government held a public inquiry to see whether the development was suitable for the area.

The inspector heading it recommended refusal but was overruled by Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for the Department of Local Government, Transport and the Regions, who announced his decision last week.

Explaining his decision, Mr Byers said: "The proposals constitute a well considered scheme of refurbishment and new development that would enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area, as well as the setting

of the nearby listed buildings and the designated area of metropolitan open land."

He also ruled the proposals were "acceptable in terms of retail impact".

December 19, 2001 12:30