COUNCILLORS turned down plans for a Tesco Express fearing it would threaten the future of small shops in the area.

Esso was planning to make changes to its Wellesbourne Service Station forecourt in Amersham Road, Terriers, to allow 160 square metres more space for a Tesco Express store but councillors felt the neighbouring bakery, post office, newsagents and grocery shops would be put out of business by the changes.

Members of Wycombe District Council's planning application panel unanimously refused to approve the development at a meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Eve O'Sullivan (Con, Green Hill and Totteridge) said: "It will have a very detrimental effect on the neighbouring small retail stores and could eventually put them out of business.

"It will become even more congested. It certainly will generate a great deal of traffic. The amount of traffic it will generate, the pollution and noise. I think it speaks for itself."

Cllr David Cox (Con, Hazlemere East) said: "We are looking at the A404 which is one of the longest parking lots in the northern part of the district.

"I do think it will heavily impinge on all those shops.

"This is not the place to allow an expansion. It is quite sufficient as it is."

Cllr Les Taylor (Con, Hazlemere West) said: "They [the shop owners] are very, very worried because they won't be able to compete against Tesco and they will not provide the same service as those shops."

The plans were refused as the development would have affected parking provision of nearby homes and had a detrimental effect on shops.