SUPERMARKET bosses have claimed building a 50,000 sq ft store on the Broadwater Road site in WGC will have just a MINOR impact on the environment.

Tesco was asked by Welwyn Hatfield Council’s officers to supply a more in-depth environmental impact assessment (EIA) to accompany its planning application for the former Shredded Wheat site.

And residents have 21 days, from today (Wednesday), to have their say on this new aspect of the planning process.

The EIA, commissioned by Tesco, unsurprisingly concludes: “The majority of the environmental impacts of the proposed redevelopment will be minor and, if adverse, mitigated by the design and planning of the redevelopment.

“The social and economic impacts of the redevelopment will be significant for the local area and broadly positive.

“Some adverse effects on local office developments may be expected but should be counterbalanced by improved employment and the relocation of growing businesses.”

The EIA also stated due to an increase in traffic Broadwater Road would need to expand with two lanes in both directions, with a dedicated access road to the food store.

? Comments on the environmental impact of the plans need to made in writing and can be emailed to planning@welhat.gov.uk or sent to the planning department, Welwyn Hatfield Council, Campus East, WGC, Herts, AL8 6AP.

? To see the EIA non-technical summary or all the planning application documentation click the links above right.