Owl was much engaged with the Guardian article in 2010 on Seaton’s regeneration referred to below. And many, many thanks to Councillor Twiss for ensuring that we revisited this important topic and took stock of the last five years.

For example, a day before the General Election in that year, a Tory spokesperson said:

“The Conservatives have voiced unease about Tesco Towns. Bob Neill, shadow minister for local government and planning, says: “I am concerned that the rise of so-called supermarket towns will lead to developments where small retailers have no place or face uncompetitive rents. Planning rules must be amended to allow councils to take into account the benefits of greater competition and the need to protect small business.”

The party has pledged to introduce greater local participation in planning through its “open source” proposals if it wins tomorrow’s general election.”

and

“A spokesman for the company says Tesco has been providing much-needed mixed use development since 1997 in deprived areas. “These are urban areas which have not received investment for a number of years. We are willing to invest, and that kind of investment has to be applauded and welcomed. We’re looking at providing more than 2,000 jobs in these areas that can benefit the community for years to come. He adds: “Councils are very welcoming because we are bringing in jobs and investment.”

Anyone seen many of those 2,000 jobs anywhere! Excluding zero hours, of course.