SUPERMARKET giant Tesco faces further hostility over its controversial plans to build a new store on the Lambeth/Wandsworth border.
The retailer won planning permission to build on the former South London Women's Hospital site at Clapham South - but only if it promised vital improvements to local traffic junctions.
Now Tesco is applying to lift this stipulation, laid down by former Transport Secretary Stephen Byers in December 2001, after he overruled his own inspector's recommendation that planning permission be denied.
Approval for the junction improvements would have to come from Transport for London (TfL).
And waiting on TfL's approval is holding up the building work, says Tesco.
Although the decision lies with Lambeth council, colleagues in neighbouring Wandsworth - just 15 metres away - are urging them not to relax the rules.
Controversy has dogged the plans for about five years, with Wandsworth council bitterly opposing the application on behalf of traders in nearby Balham.
Wandsworth's planning chairman Ravi Govindia said of the latest bid: "It is unthinkable that after all the concerns there have been over the impact of this scheme on local roads that Tesco should try to jump the gun in this way.
"We are worried about traffic during the construction phase as well as when the store is open."
Wandsworth council maintains that two key traffic junctions on Balham Hill - at Nightingale Lane and the South Circular - are already heavily congested.
A spokeswoman for Lambeth council confirmed that Tesco had applied to change details of its initial planning permission.
"Tesco wants to get work started," she said.
"We have yet to make a decision on the matter.
"Our officer needs to get in contact with Transport for London again and look at those junctions."
Lambeth will consider lifting the stipulation later this year.
A spokeswoman for Tesco said improvements to the junctions would definitely be made before the store opens.
Planning process timeline
1984: Hospital was shut
April 1998: Tesco appeals to Government after Lambeth's refusal. Inquiry inspector upholds decision.
February 1999: Lambeth grants planning permission to revised Tesco proposals, despite pleas from Wandsworth.
November 1999: Wandsworth calls on Government to launch second public inquiry into issue. Inquiry eventually agreed and date set.
December 2001: Again inspector decides Tesco plans are bad for the area - Lambeth planning permission should be overturned, says inspector.
December 2001: Transport Secretary Stephen Byers ignores his inspector, and grants planning permission, providing Tesco improves road junctions first.
September 2003: Tesco appeals to Lambeth to allow building to start, without plans for junction improvements on the table. | 
