CONTROVERSIAL plans for a supermarket in Hadleigh have avoided a potential stumbling block after environment chiefs accepted the development does not pose a flood risk.

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a supermarket in Hadleigh have avoided a potential stumbling block after environment chiefs accepted the development does not pose a flood risk.

Campaigners fighting Tesco's proposal for the supermarket had raised concerns that a store would lead to problems in the nearby River Brett.

But yesterday it emerged the Environment Agency had told Babergh District Council that any development would not be a flood risk - subject to a number of conditions.

Tesco still has to meet certain criteria with regards to cultivation of land, evacuation procedures and a surface water plan, to limit the impact of any run-off at the former Brett Works site.

Nick Gellatly, a spokesman for the supermarket giant, said: “The Environment Agency sought very detailed analysis of potential flood risk here.

“We have worked hard to address all of their requirements and are pleased that we have the 'all clear' from them.

“Whilst the agency has set conditions that need to be complied with, we are satisfied that all can be met. We are still working with the Environment Agency on other matters which we expect to have resolved soon.”

These other issues include the impact any new build would have on surrounding wildlife and remuneration work.

Roy Smith, chairman of the Tesco supporters group in Hadleigh, said: “This is very good news. Everything we have heard in the last few months has been very positive - it's only a little bit at a time but it is always a step forward.”

But John Bloomfield, chairman of the Hadleigh Society - which is fighting the supermarket plans, said: “All these conditions must be met before any agreement is actually reached - it'll be very difficult to implement them once the project is under way.

“They also take no account of what could happen further downstream. There will be a lot of run off which will end up in the River Brett and this could cause problems for those living in Layham and Higham - the issue is much bigger than just the Tesco site.”

Babergh District Council is expected to make a final decision on the plans in the autumn.