THE developer behind Colchester’s ninth Tesco has hit out at planning bosses who are trying to block it.

In November, an application was submitted to Colchester Council to convert a row of three shops, in Cotman Avenue, Prettygate, into four separate outlets, which was granted.

But since January, Hills Building Group has submitted a number of amendments to convert the four shops into one large shop were granted by council planners without consulting residents or councillors because they were not considered “material”, or important enough.

In August, Tesco then announced plans to open an Express store in the larger space, but the council quickly moved to block it saying its planning department had made a mistake, but builders have already completed the work.

Now Hills Building Group has hit out, saying no mistake was made.

In a letter to Colchester Council, solicitors on behalf of the group said: “It was the right decision as the proposal before the officer was a non-material amendment.

“It is not, and never was, a material amendment, as you now seek to suggest.”

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