In December 2011, Tesco announced that it was seeking to build a new store on the outskirts of the seaside fishing port of Looe in Cornwall. The following February, TESCO put forward a proposal for a 25,000 sq ft foodstore and 36 affordable homes. This would be the first large supermarket for the town.
Local businesses and Councillors raised concerns about the impact on the town centre and nearby shops and set up the I Love Looe website and the Looe Strategy Group to oppose the plans.
At a meeting of the Looe Town Council on 23rd January 2013 to consider the modified proposals they voted by 4:1 to recommend objection to the entire planning application on the grounds of:
-Findings of the GVA Grimley report particularly regarding the impact on the town centre businesses.
- It is against Caradon Local Plan 2007 Policies: ALT2, ALT6, HO13, CL5, CL7 and CL10 and the National Planning Policy Framework.
- The site is designated AGLV, coastal zone and green field area.
- Concerns about the increase of traffic on an unclassified road and the B3253 and the safety of the school children.
- The potential loss of the waterside filling station having major impact on the fishing industry, coastguard and RNLI services and tourism.