A COMMUNITY group opposed to the building of a new supermarket in its town will be airing its views tonight.The Stour Community First (SCF) group was formed to argue against plans to build a Tesco store in Manningtree and is holding a public meeting tonight where the proposals will be discussed.

A COMMUNITY group opposed to the building of a new supermarket in its town will be airing its views tonight.

The Stour Community First (SCF) group was formed to argue against plans to build a Tesco store in Manningtree and is holding a public meeting tonight where the proposals will be discussed.

The meeting will run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in Lawford's Venture Centre.

Jenny Hawley, chair of SCF, said: “We want everyone to think carefully about Tesco's proposals before they form an opinion.

“This application will have a huge impact on Manningtree and there are lots of different issues to consider.

“This meeting will give people a chance to voice their own opinions and hear the different arguments.

“The store would be twice the size of the existing Co-op and we don't think it is needed in the smallest town in England.

“The roads can't cope with all the extra traffic that would come in and we're concerned about the impact on the local shops and the Co-op.”

Tesco has already held a public consultation into its plans to build a supermarket off Station Road in the town, and it hopes to submit a planning application to Tendring District Council before the end of the year.

Michael Kissman, Tesco's corporate affairs manager for the East of England, said: “We have got a scheme here that will put more investment into Manningtree.

“By building the shop in the town we will be able to keep people shopping locally.”