TRADERS, residents and an MP have joined together to fight a supermarket giant's massive expansion plans in Clevedon. In just

TRADERS, residents and an MP have joined together to fight a supermarket giant's massive expansion plans in Clevedon.In just a few days more than 100 signatures have been collected on a petition against proposals to double the size of Tesco in Kenn Road.Floods of letters objecting to the plans, including one from Woodspring MP Liam Fox, have been received by North Somerset Council, which will have the final say on the company's planning application.Last week the North Somerset Times reported town councillors had ordered an 'impact survey' to take place into the effect the new development will have on the town's smaller shops.Tesco wants to build a new, much larger store to replace the current one in Kenn Road. It will measure more than 8,000sq metres with 602 car parking spaces and a new petrol station. The company says the changes will create around 150 new jobs.Residents have also started a petition on the Prime Minister's Downing Street website. The petition, which can be found by logging on to http://petitions. pm.gov.uk/ClevedonTesco, has already generated more than 100 signatures.Set up by residents Geoff and Sally Gardner, it says: "Tesco is planning a new superstore in Clevedon, which is a small residential town, without major development, which already has a Tesco, plus other supermarkets."The new store will not enhance the environment, not be in keeping with its residential surroundings and the infrastructure will not cope with the extra traffic."The additional car emissions in a residential area will affect the life of the community, which has many young families."Also the additional noise pollution in the evening and night in a residential area will be detrimental. There is a Tesco, so there is no need for such a huge superstore in such a small town."In a statement sent to North Somerset Council from Tesco, it says: "Since the opening of the store 11 years ago it has proved to be extremely popular as one of the principle food stores in the district."Consequently, the store is overtrading and experiencing major operational problems such as in-store congestion, queues at tills and storage problems. The proposed store will meet a need and assist in attracting new shoppers to Clevedon who currently shop elsewhere."The proposed replacement store will not adversely affect the vitality and viability of Clevedon town centre.