Tesco has backed out of plans to build an Express store in Harefield, but is now looking to sell the site.
The supermarket giant fought for four years to win planning permission for its proposed store in Rickmansworth Road, after Hillingdon Council refused four applications.
An independent inspector gave consent for the development to go forward in May 2011, but the council tried to get this decision overturned by having the High Court launch a judicial review of the planning process.
However, a judge eventually upheld the inspector's decision, meaning the store could finally be built.
Now Tesco has decided not to go through with its plans, because of its recent poor trading performance.
A spokeswoman said: “We have reviewed our proposal for an Express store on Rickmansworth Road, in Harefield, and made the difficult decision not to proceed with our plans.
“We’re very grateful to everyone who supported our proposals and will continue to work hard to serve the local community from our other stores in the area.”
She added: “Our priority now is to work to find an alternative occupier for the site as soon possible.”
The plans involved building a Tesco Express store, with three flats above it, at the site of a former garage, next to the Kings Arms pub.
Some had argued in favour of the project, saying the site had become an eyesore.
But many residents and traders fought the proposals, saying the store would create extra traffic, force existing businesses to close and that its planned location, at a crossroads, was inappropriate.
Leading the fight against Tesco was Atul Sodha, who runs Londis, in Moorhall Road, Harefield, and who also heads the Small Traders and Businesses of Harefield.
He said he was worried Tesco would simply use the fact that it had planning permission for the site's development to sell the land to another big business.
Speaking to getwestlondon this week, he said: “As much as I'm relieved Tesco aren't going ahead, now it just puts another cloud over Harefield over who's going to come along and do it instead, so it's a bit of a concern still.”
He added that any supermarket taking over the site would mean lorries blocking the roads, causing a hazard for patients being taken to Harefield Hospital, in Hill End Road.
