RESIDENTS and shopkeepers have spoken of their relief after councillors voted unanimously to turn down plans for Oxford’s third Tesco store.

The supermarket giant wants to build an Express store on the site of the boarded-up Friar pub in Marston Road.

But planning officers were against the plan because they said the two-storey building would impose on neighbouring properties, add to traffic problems along the road and delivery lorries could damage low-lying trees.

Councillors at the north east area committee on Tuesday followed the recommendation and voted the scheme down.

Councillor David Rundle said the committee should also reject the scheme because councils should be seen to support local pubs and it was hoped the Friar pub, which shut in 2006, would eventually reopen.

After the meeting some of the 30 residents who attended spoke of their happiness at the decision.

Jo Bartlett, from William Street, said: “It’s great news.

“The place is a real accident blackspot so I’m glad it has been refused.

“And it would be good to think the site could reopen as a pub one day.”

Mick Clarke, from Lewell Avenue, added: “It probably would have meant the closure of the post office, and we’ve already lost enough of those around here.”

Croft Road resident and community campaigner Mick Haines, 68, organised a 1,500 name petition against the store amid fears it would undercut local traders and threaten the only post office in the area at the Costcutters store in Old Marston Road.

He handed it to councillors before making a short speech appealing for them to throw out the plans. He said: “We’re really pleased with the outcome. But Tesco could of course appeal, so we must be ready to fight again.”

Sivanesarajah Pakeerathan , manager of the Costcutter store, added: “Places like Tesco are silent killers.

“They creep into the community and before you know it they have driven all of the other businesses out of the area.”

But Jane Cox, added: “I wasn’t really that against Tesco.

“But the old Friar pub is a beautiful art deco building.

“It would be lovely to think it might possibly one day reopen as a pub.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk