For reasons best known to themselves Ealing's planning department is asking for views on the redevelopment of the former Granada Cinema in Greenford.

Only the middle-aged and elderly would know of the Granada Cinema. Younger or newer residents would not see the relevance and may read no further, thus missing the word Tesco buried in the text.

The planning department letter did not reveal that, contrary to legal advice, a propagandist from Tesco had been invited to address a ward meeting, promoting its planning application during the consultation period.

The proposal is to replace the current store with a megastore of 69,410 square feet, which is two and three quarter times the size of the present Tesco Metro.

It is claimed that last July 96 per cent of those returning a card were not in favour, but it has not been revealed how many of those do not live in the proximity, would not be affected or were dazzled by the copious expensive printed propaganda, which was a good place to hide detail.

The quality of life in the area will be lowered and small local retail outlets will be destroyed.

Tesco claims it wishes to promote online shopping, so why do they want to annex the heart of Greenford?

Currently, there are 35 Tesco car spaces and 142 public spaces and it is proposed that there will be a dedicated Tesco car park of 174 spaces entered from the Greenford Road and 174 public car spaces entered from Greenford Road or Oldfield Lane South.

This is two and a half times the current number, not just a one-off but all day long, into an already congested road.

A stated aim in the planning documentation is by enabling vehicles to access from both Greenford Road and Oldfield Lane South the potential impact on Greenford Road and Ruislip Road is reduced. So we can see that it is the deliberate intention to move as much disruption as possible to Oldfield Lane South.

The last day for comments was February 9, but the matter should be put on hold pending an investigation into irregularities, mis-description and promotion of a commercial scheme at a council meeting.

JAMES DARBON

Greenford UB6