CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after Redbridge Council decided to turn down Tesco's request to install a loading bay outside its proposed new shop in Wanstead High Street.

The supermarket giant has previously told the Guardian that it would not start work on the store until the bay was approved, leaving some residents to speculate that Tesco will now have to scale-back its plans.

The scheme would have involved a designated lorry bay on the high street raising fears from residents about traffic problems and a precedent for other traders to apply for their own loading bays.

Scott Shillum, of the Wanstead Society, said his group were delighted.

He said: “We're all very, very pleased. It could have had a very serious impact – quite rightly a lot of the other shopkeepers would have then turned round and asked for their own loading bays if this had been approved. It could have set a very dangerous precedent.

“We'll have to wait and see what happens next but I think the longer the shop remains empty the sense of ill feeling between Tesco and residents is going to grow.”

Ashley Gunstock, another leading campaigner against the shop, said: “It's very good news.

"First we had Tesco claiming it would be a similar operation to Woolworths, then we had them getting extended opening hours and then the alcohol licence, and if this had been approved on top of that it would have been unbelievable. So perhaps the council do have a bit of a spine after all.

“Now that Tesco can't get a loading bay they might have to scale down things and delay the opening, which could be good for independent traders in the area.”

Wanstead Cllr Peter Goody, who helped make the decision to reject Tesco's scheme, said even if the chain were to resubmit the plans the council may well make the same decision again.

He said: “I was not convinced of the principle that a commercial outlet should be provided a loading bay at the expense of general parking for the public.

“But even on top of that principle, the location they suggested was not ideal, it's near a pedestrian crossing and almost directly opposite a bus stop.”

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "We are disappointed with the decision to refuse permission for a loading bay, especially as this bay would ensure that deliveries to the store would not disrupt local traffic.

"However, we are now looking at other options."