By Luke Cross
THE Tesco superstore could open for business in Gerrards Cross at the start of 2010 – almost five years after the project came crashing down onto the railway line, nearly hitting two passenger trains in June 2005.
An "indicative programme" has been set out by the supermarket giant as it is tries to win permission to bring fill material in by rail and transport by a conveyor belt to the construction site on the other side of Packhorse Road.
The company needs to get the go ahead from Buckinghamshire County Council, whose case officer wanted a better idea of when work might take place so he could provide a report to the committee, which is set to decide on the application on Tuesday.
The programme given to the council says repair work on the tunnel would start in Spring 2008.
The fill for the tunnel would be imported in Spring 2009 for about six to eight months, the siding would be restored by December 31 2009 and the store completed by "the early part of 2010."
Michael Kissman, Tesco spokesman, said: "We are aware that this whole process has taken a long time, but local residents and councillors should know that Tesco has been working on this project non-stop to find an appropriate solution."
Tesco has not confirmed whether the project will go ahead, but continues to work on "two alternative plans."
The company amended its original application to transport fill until December 2010, but the officer in charge of the case has still recommended that the council's development control comittee refuse permission altogether.
David Periam, planning development control manager, says if the committee turns it down, enforcement action should be taken to make sure the siding is cleared within three months.
He writes: "I do not consider that it is acceptable for this county council to endorse this situation and believe that consent to this application would contribute further to the uncertainty which exists about when this development will actually be recommenced and completed."
But Mr Periam also says that forcing Tesco to import material by road would arguably have a greater impact on the environment and amenity and that Tesco might appeal a decision if it is refused, dragging things on for at least another year.
A disappointed Mr Kissman said