Leech Demands Protection for the Environment from Giant Superstores

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Aug 2006

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has called on Government departments to work together to protect local communities and the environment from the development of huge superstores.

Speaking during a debate on the food industry, John Leech questioned the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the impact on the environment of huge new supermarkets. He raised the current planning application by Tesco for a new superstore in Stretford, and asked the Secretary of State to work with colleagues from the Department of Communities and Local Government to protect local shopping centres from such developments.

John Leech MP said:

"I have objected to the planned superstore in Stretford because of the damaging effect it could have on small independent shops in Chorlton, and also the increase traffic congestion that it would bring."

"Now I have challenged the Government to give greater importance to these sorts of issues when planning applications for large supermarkets are submitted."