Protester tells of Newport store plan stress

Newport resident Gary Wade told the eighth day of the ongoing hearing at the Park Inn Hotel in Telford into the proposed Sainsbury's development of the stress the plans had caused his family.

He claimed they had become "a pawn in the games of developers, councillors, operators and people who apparently know what is best for my family and my town".

Mr Wade was one of a number of residents called to give their views at the inquiry.

It was called by the Government in the wake of Telford & Wrekin Council's decision to approve the supermarket on land it owns at Station Road.

Mr Wade, who lives at Station Cottage, near the site, said: "We have lived under personal attack.

"A chartered surveyor told me a business was going to buy my home.

"Our world has been turned upside down but sentiment has no place in the world of development."

He added: "Please do not lose sight of the long lasting impact that this could have on our future generations.

"This proposal is excessive, disproportionate and quite simply in the wrong place.

"It fails to take in the views of the community."

Eric Ashcroft, a retired civil engineer, presented an extensive report arguing that the development would present a serious risk of flooding in nearby streets.

He said: "Residents will become the victims of deliberate flooding. The drainage system is flawed."

And Linda Fletcher, from the Newport History Society, said it objected to the "the loss of four historical assets", referring to the fields where the supermarket would be built.

She said: "Fields that represent the town's history will be lost if this application goes ahead."

Councillor Eric Carter, who represents Newport East on Telford & Wrekin Council, told the inquiry to 'listen to the views of the local people'.

"They are shouting loud and clear, they do not want a supermarket on this site."

The inquiry is expected to last for three weeks.