Thanks to all those who turned out tonight, all the speakers and the local councillors who made the right decision for the people of St Albans!

Moving forward, we hope that Tesco listens to local people and does not take the route of an expensive appeal but takes steps to help the local community access what they want - a primary school and affordable housing!

Congratulations Mr Hepburn, you and your supporters must be very pleased at the outcome of your efforts to keep Tesco in their gloomy shop in St Peter's Street.

"The other" (additional (8th) reason for refusal) "was the adverse affect the store would have on retail in the city centre, including the market." Is this a joke non-planning reason to refuse the application or was it taken seriously?

Whoops! It was the 10th ground of refusal, not the 8th! One of the others must have been that we don't like Mr Kissman or Tesco makes too much profit or it sells food and other goods to people on low-incomes (i.e. non Lib-Dem voting masses) or it doesn't support posh wealthy Eton-educated TV chef's campaign to persuade us to buy/eat overpriced hand-reared fluffy organic chicks.

This wasn't just a planning application. This was an anti-big business planning refusal which will bomb on appeal if Tesco can be bothered to hang around. They might just walk away and leave the site to fester and decay - who else can afford to buy it in today's financial climate?

Although naturally pleased that the planning applications finally submitted after 8 tortuous years for a huge superstore were rejected, I cannot say this morning I am happy.

It is always the case with big companies, with bottomless pockets, that they have their game plan. Tesco’s know how to play the planning system perhaps better than most. That is why it was so important last night to ensure that no stone was unturned to ensure that at this initial skirmish the reasons for refusal were as robust as possible. As be sure Tesco’s will relentlessly whittle them down bit by bit in appeal, and more planning submissions.

I was therefore exasperated that even after speaker after speaker, had raised the detrimental effect to retail in our city centre; it took a last minute intervention from Councillor Roma Mills to persuade the Chairman to add a condition to that effect. Hundreds of 3rd party representations had also made the same point.

Despite what Bob says above there are valid planning reasons to refuse for this reason in this case. However as apparently the council still do not have a definitive notion of what area the city centre actually covers they tried to duck it.

I despair. How can the council promote our city centre as a wonderful place to shop, which it is, as demonstrated by the recent “Retailer of the Year” awards, when they can’t actually work out which businesses are within the city centre?

The decision was a victory for common sense. It's a shame Bob (above) seems to lack any.

Anyone claiming last night's decision is a victory for common sense (not a valid ground for supporting or refusing a planning application) needs help. Since when did common sense apply to local government?

Thoughtful piece by Vanessa who's clearly not celebrating (yet).

The college gained permission to build 820 car parking spaces in the green belt last week. This week Tesco, with its application for half that number on a site not in the green belt, were rejected. Reason for refusal 101 - tarmac looks better next to green grass rather than on an old works depot. Who is going to pick up the bill after an inspector has had a look at these reasons for refusal?

Other Bob- you hit the nail on the head.

This is far more to do with ideology than a planning application.

'Locals fight big nasty business' is clearly a narrative they hope to create.

As I have said before, if this was a Waitrose or some other modish ''eithical'' shop SADC would be salivating over it.

However, what galls these people is that Tesco is only a success because normal people like what it offers.

When this recession finally hits these snobs will soon turn their back on food prepared on the thigh of a virgin, or some other rubbish, and will want to join the rest of us at the check-out aisle...

Well I for one am disappointed at the decision made not to allow Tesco in St Albans. As for the impact it may have on the local shops - what a load of rubbish - do you remember the residents of Wheathampstead moaning about the proposed sainsbury in thier village ? one of the reasons for refusing that was because it would kill the local shops !! So where are the shops now then ? no sainsbury and no local shops - so much for that theory.We need a supermarket in St Albans and we need a choice. Most residents of St Albans have to travel to Hatfield or Watford for tesco - surely this can't be good for the environment. Go for it Tesco -

The council must robustly protect the uniqueness that is St Albans. What makes Tesco better than the existing Sainsbury or Morrisons? Is it too far to travel to them?
If anyone so desperatly wants a Tesco then go live in Watford or Hatfield. If we had a less robust council then that is what St albans will soon become

Graham, you must be upset the Council wasn't so ''robust'' at protecting the green belt...

A huge well done to the campaigners. On behalf of the families I know who live in the area thank you for helping to prevent extra cars and pollution around our homes. I for one am quite happy to walk to the market for food - we dont need another supermarket here - a primary school would be good! We will support the campaign if any appeals arise.

There seems to be a lot of talk about 'normal' people on this discussion board. Are the people opposing the development not normal? They looked like concerned local residents to me. Why are they being attacked for their political views or what tpe of chicken they buy?

Despite the manufactured hysteria over the 'credit crunch' most normal people have retained their sense of empowerment, and aren't waving their arms at the sky screaming that it's falling in.

Actually, now I think about it... was Chicken Lickin a fluffy organic free-range and politically maladjusted bird?

I digress.

Tesco has many champions. Some people take pride in saving 10p on some disease ridden, socially irresponsible produce. Usually so it can be spent on something more useful. Like booze. Or fags.

But this isn't a class war is it?

This was a local victory.

William:"Tesco has many champions. Some people take pride in saving 10p on some disease ridden, socially irresponsible produce. Usually so it can be spent on something more useful. Like booze. Or fags."

You proved my point about snobbery...