Nearly one year ago Tesco opened it’s doors to the residents of Hodge Hill.
For local MP Liam Byrne and many residents of Hodge Hill, it had been a long battle to prevent the build, and one that left both Liam and the local community somewhat defeated.
The build caused so much controversy because it happened to be built on the local Brockhurst playing field, used by many children and adults for sporting activities.
According to The Birmingham Mail, three acres of Brockhurst playing field were sacrificed in the build; in return, Tesco supposedly promised to re surface the damaged playing field and build new changing rooms.
On it’s one-year anniversary, Liam’s feelings about the development remain unchanged.
“Well, everything that we warned about and were worried about has now happened,” Liam told B36 Blogger.
“Both the council and Tesco did not keep their promises. They promised sports facilities, and promised to give back to the local community. They have given nothing back,” Liam continued.
In December of last year, the Birmingham Mail reported that Tesco’s 24-hour opening grant had been given the green light, to the worry of many residents.
Understandably many people living near and around the Tesco superstore are worried about the effects the 24-hour license will cause.
“They have now applied for a license to open 24hours, which means more noise pollution,” says Liam.
The results of the 24-hour license can only be monitored over the coming months, with residents living so close to the store; it is likely to cause some sort of noise at some point.
Liam Byrne’s office is also in close perimeter as it lies at the side of the store itself on Coleshill road and so was directly affected by the build.
“They even took the back wall off our office on Coleshill road, so the winter months were very cold,” says Liam.
After the long battle, there is little to be done to reverse the effects of the build, and so Liam expresses his hope that Tesco will perhaps consider the local community in the future.
“All we want now is for them to be good corporate citizens, minimise their noise and give back to the local community.”
Liam, understandably, had little more to say about the store, as he has never paid it a visit:
“I have never once been in there; I buy my lunch from Somerfield!”
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