FOR the first time residents of Welwyn Hatfield were able to voice their opinions on whether Tesco should build a massive superstore at the Broadwater Road site in WGC – and it was a resounding NO.

Hundreds squeezed into a public meeting on Monday night to discuss the plans. As seats ran out, many stood at the back; children and the elderly joined councillors sitting on the floor to take part in the debate.

A solitary hand was waved when chairman and WHT editor Terry Mitchinson asked who was for the multinational’s plans being approved.

The rest shot up when asked who was against the proposals, which would see a shop almost the size of Tesco at Oldings, Hatfield, replace the Shredded Wheat factory’s production hall.

*For reaction and details of the meeting see this week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times,