A supermarket giant has won an appeal to transform an historic Maldon pub into a Tesco Express.

After months of campaigning, residents living nearby have lost their fight to stop a store opening at The Cups pub in Wantz Road, after a planning inspectorate overturned Maldon District Council’s decision.

Councillors refused planning permission for a new 260-square-metre convenience store in March and said it would have a detrimental effect on traffic congestion, highway safety and on street parking.

But Tesco disagreed and lodged an appeal.

At a public hearing with the Planning Inspectorate in November, Tesco representatives argued that traffic to the store would not have an adverse impact on road safety and that nine parking spaces would be enough for shoppers.

This week, planning inspector Nicholas Taylor allowed their appeal.

His report stated: “There are a number of schools in the area and I understand that the junction becomes busy at particular times.

“Notwithstanding a recent fatal traffic accident on Cross Road and residents’ perception that near misses frequently occur, the junction’s accident record does not indicate a significant risk to highway safety resulting from its layout."

See this week's MBS for a full report and reaction from residents, campaigners, Maldon District Council and Tesco.