Tesco ends eco-town interest

Campaigners had voiced opposition to the plans and the supermarket finally ended its interest in the project yesterday.

The retailer owns 80% of the land at the location and was set to hand over most of the money needed to build the green town.

Despite the u-turn by Tesco, the Department for Communities and Local Government remained upbeat that many of the eco-towns would still become a reality once a shortlist has been compiled.

This week it was revealed that the company could include pensioner-friendly facilities at a store in Newcastle.