Locals Say Planned Market Will Destroy Town Character

Manningtree could be seen as a dying town, but one of the big four supermarket chains is promising to revive things by building a 30,000 sq ft (2,787 sq m) store on the edge of town.

Tesco says it will draw people to Manningtree, breathing new life into the town centre, but there is rising opposition to the plans which are likely to be submitted late in 2007 or early 2008.

Jenny Harker, chairman of the Stour Valley First group, said: "Generally we believe that it's not needed for the town.

"The size of the store Tesco is proposing is out of proportion to the size of the town and it looks like Tesco is trying to attract people to the town from outside.

"It will spoil the character and the historic town of Manningtree and it will cause congestion."