Couple’s anger at Tesco builders in Colchester
6:00pm Thursday 12th January 2012 in Local News
A COUPLE have claimed Tesco has flouted a planning agreement by building an 8ft tall breeze block wall in their back garden.
Tesco has confirmed it will open an Express store at the former Cherry Tree Garage, in Mersea Road, Colchester, by the end of the summer.
The site borders the home of Belinda and Andy Scott, who claim a previous wall in their garden, covered in shrubs, has been torn down and replaced by a “horrendous eyesore”.
Mrs Scott, 46, said: “From the house, halfway down the left hand side of our garden, it should have been red brick and the rest of the wall should have been breeze block, as that’s how it was before.
“But they have done it totally in breeze block.
“They should have been doing it as was set out in the plans which have been passed and they haven’t. They have completely ignored it.”
The couple, who have lived at their home on Blackheath for 25 years, claim documents say Tesco is obliged to pay for replacement shrubs and lights.
Mrs Scott said: “We had security lights ripped off, a set of garden lights smashed and shrubs and plants killed. Also, where the walls were taken down, sections of our garden were excavated and not back filled, leaving us with huge holes along the boundary.
“In the documents we received from Tesco and their party wall surveyors, it clearly stated all damage would be compensated for and put right.”
“If the work so far carried out on this site is anything to go by, we are not looking forward to anything else Tesco does.”
The couple said they have complained to Tesco about the wall, but were told the surveyor dealing with the plans has since left and they do not know who to forward their complaint to.
The store was given the go-ahead in July 2009 following a public inquiry into the plans.
Tesco says 80 jobs will be created. Thirteen homes will also be built with the store.
No one from Tesco was available to comment.
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