TESCO has withdrawn its planning application to build a new store on the site of Worcester's Christopher Whitehead High School.

The supermarket chain's proposals to build in St John's were due to be considered by Worcester City Council's planning committee next month and were then to be discussed by the full council.

But after being informed that city planners were going to recommend refusal, Tesco withdrew.

Principal planning officer, Peter Yates, said there were a number of concerns.

"Planning officers were intending to recommend refusal on several grounds - the shopping impact, traffic problems and other detailed design issues," he said.

They were also concerned about the impact that the loss of the school would have on the community.

"We feel that the school is in a good place for the school bus routes, roads and footpaths.

"One of the things in the application is that over 70 per cent of the pupils walk to school and we can't believe that this would be that high if the school were to move to Rushwick."

He had written to Tesco to inform them of the date of the meeting and the recommendation.

"I thought they would have wanted to come and speak at the meeting - this is part of the normal process," said Mr Yates.

"But they have decided to withdraw the plans and come back to us some time in the future.

Going away to think again

"I don't think this has completely died - they are going to go away and think again."

In a letter to the council Mike Beese, planning director for GL Hearn, the property consultants working on behalf of the supermarket, said both he and his client found the recommendation "surprising and disappointing".

He took particular issue with the concerns over the loss of the school from the community.

"This statement is surprising to Tesco Stores Ltd., but no doubt will be of greater concern to the county council who, as education authority, has resolved to seek planning permission for a replacement school at Earls Court Farm," he said.

"It is self evident that the Tesco proposals would not proceed unless and until a suitable replacement school had been built."

Dennis Ogle, chairman of the St John's Traders' and Residents' Association, said it was time the situation was resolved.

"This is just one glorious poker game with everybody having cards up their sleeves," said Mr Ogle.

"It would be a very good for the community if everyone put these cards on the table."

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said it did not mean that the new school would not be built.

"The decision to withdraw the current Tesco foodstore application does not affect the county council's proposals to relocate Christopher Whitehead High School."

Allan Foulds, headteacher at Christopher Whitehead High School, was unavailable for comment as the Evening News went to press.