RESIDENTS opposed to a new supermarket in their town have pledged to keeping fighting against the proposals today.Stour Community First (SCF), a group of residents who believe creating a Tesco store in Manningtree would be bad for the community, said it was continuing to build up a case against the supermarket.

RESIDENTS opposed to a new supermarket in their town have pledged to keeping fighting against the proposals today.

Stour Community First (SCF), a group of residents who believe creating a Tesco store in Manningtree would be bad for the community, said it was continuing to build up a case against the supermarket.

The group held a meeting last night which saw around 130 people listen to the arguments for and against a Tesco in the town.

Jenny Hawley, chairwoman of SCF, said: “The meeting went really well. There was a good debate about what people's concerns are and what we could do. People had a lot of questions about the plans.

“I think a lot of people are against it.

“Now we are waiting for the planning application to go in which could be at any time.

“We will continue to build support for what we are doing. We're doing our own traffic surveys and talking to local shops to build a case.

“And we'll continue to keep talking and keep going while we wait for the application.”

During the meeting in Lawford Lady Caroline Cranbrook, who has led a successful campaign against a new supermarket in Saxmundham, warned if the plans went ahead it could lead to the loss of small businesses and the sense of community.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We have consulted with and spoken to hundreds of people in the local area and we shared the plans during four days of public consultation.

“We also spoke to the town council and Lawford parish council and we have had some really good support from people who recognise the investment in the town - that it means better choice for people and more jobs.

Tesco confirmed in March that it had bought land in Station Road and would be consulting with the public about the plans.

Would you welcome a Tesco store in Manningtree? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.