ANGRY residents confronted Tesco representatives about a massive extension to the supermarket chain’s Allerton store last night.

People living in the quiet cul-de-sac of Rose Brae, which backs on to the site in Mather Avenue where the extension is being built, complained that the new development would overlook kitchens and bedrooms.

They also accused Tesco of flouting the terms of the planning consent it won on appeal, after its original application was turned down by Liverpool city council.

Tesco admitted that it had made a “mistake” after it increased the height of the building without permission, and that it would also consider changing its appearance from steel frame and plastic cladding – which some residents likened to a “cowshed” – to brick.

However, the supermarket giant warned people who attended the meeting that to make the altera-tions they were now demanding, it would have to make a new appli-cation for planning permission.

In the meantime, it has temporarily suspended work on part of the multi-million pound development.

Only a narrow back alley separates a number of homes in Rose Brae from the extension to the Mather Road superstore.

Jackie Mullen, whose end-of-terrace home directly overlooks the site, said: “I’m not happy. I can’t believe they got planning permission to build so close to residents’ property.

“It will block all the light from many homes. The builders are actually quite considerate and when I speak to them they look embarrassed about putting this up so near to where we live.”

Ward councillor Colin Eldridge said Tesco’s Liverpool-born chief executive Sir Terry Leahy should come down to visit residents him- self to see what was happening.

Cllr Eldridge said: “I feel Tesco’s attitude is quite arrogant. They have said they are ready and willing to change the look of the building and plant extra trees, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that this monstrosity is being built against the wishes of local people.”

He added that homes in Rose Brae, which typically sell for around £250,000, could have £25,000 knocked off their value because of the development.

The Tesco store on Mather Avenue is being expanded by more than half its current size.

It followed a long-running campaign of opposition by nearby residents, who said it would create extra traffic and increase pollution.

But after Liverpool city council’s planning committee refused plans to expand the store, the company appealed and the government’s Planning Inspectorate approved a revised version of the scheme.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Neil Skitt, who attended last night’s meeting, said it had been “constructive.”

He added: “The height of the building was a genuine error. We’ve recognised that and will put it right by reducing it one metre.

“I will take back the views expressed in tonight’s meeting to Tesco to see what we can do to meet residents’ concerns.”

alanweston