Tesco has withdrawn an application for an Express store in a leafy Ealing area after neighbours criticised the lack of consultation.

Two applications were submitted to Ealing Council on August 12 from Mathew and Alemnesh Demetri and Tesco Stores Limited with proposals to extend an existing commercial space in St Mary’s Road with change of use to a residential unit at the back.

As previously reported by the Gazette, people living in or around the road argued Tesco did not consult with them, despite the supermarket’s initial claims they did.

Both applications have now been withdrawn by Tesco.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “With every new store proposal, we consult the local community and invite comment. We posted a letter requesting feedback on our proposed Express store on St Mary’s Road to more than 300 residents in June, but it has become evident that for some reason these letters did not arrive.

“We have decided to withdraw our current application in order to fully consult locally and speak further with the council before progressing any proposals. We look forward to hearing from the community and will be in touch shortly.”

Andy Long, 54, of nearby Cairn Avenue, who has been campaigning against the applications and speaking on behalf of several neighbours, said: “We always argued that Tesco or any similar operation could not work at that site. Hundreds of us agreed and our objections have been essential in helping the cause.

“It shows the power of the community. In particular, local people know their locality better than anyone and can see the flaws in proposed development.

“We can celebrate only a little, because the Tesco machine is relentless. Faced with huge opposition and a hopeless case, Tesco withdrew rather than face rejection on multiple grounds.

“You do not need to progress an alternative proposal because the problems of parking and the impossibility of delivery to and servicing of this site will remain.”