CAMPAIGNERS opposed to a supermarket in Britain's smallest town have vowed to fight “with all guns blazing” as they hold their first meeting to discuss officially objecting about the plans.

Annie Davidson

CAMPAIGNERS opposed to a supermarket in Britain's smallest town have vowed to fight “with all guns blazing” as they hold their first meeting to discuss officially objecting about the plans.

Stour Community First was formed by a group of residents angry at plans by Tesco to open a store in Station Road, Manningtree.

Now it is to hold its first meeting where it can advise protestors on how to officially oppose the planning application which has recently been submitted in full by the supermarket giant.

Stour Community First chairman David Eisenhart-Rothe said the meeting on July 15 would be an opportunity to explain to people the different ways in which they could object to Tendring District Council.

“We would like to see as many people there as possible,” he said.

Committee member Mike Coultharde-Steer said the group was going to oppose the plans “with all guns blazing”.

He said: “We have been putting together letters for (MP) Bernard Jenkin and also the different sorts of things people might want to write to the council's planning office as well.

“We need to make sure people keep their objections to factual planning issues rather than anything else.

“We are hoping lots of people will come along.

“Tesco has been very, very good at the PR side of things and have some slick presentations based on supporting their application so it is up to us to look at it in detail and argue about what is best for Manningtree.”

Mr Coultharde-Steer said one of the main objections of Stour Community First remained the potential traffic problems the new store could cause.

Michael Kissman, spokesman for Tesco, said yesterday: “We ran a public consultation on the plans before they were submitted to the planning authority and spoke to hundreds of local people.

“Where people did have concerns we have been keen to address those - we have been asked if it will have a pharmacy and if it will be 24 hours and the answer is no, it won't.

“This is an exciting scheme which will create many new jobs for the town.”

Stour Community First's meeting will be held on July 15 at 7.30pm at the Lawford Venture Centre in Wignall Street.

For more information go to www.stourcommunityfirst.org