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Tesco says it will close its Weybridge distribution depot with the loss of 700 jobs if planning permission is given to build an 75,000m2 warehouse near Andover. The supermarket is in discussions to lease the proposed unit from developer Goodman, which has applied to build a 130,000m2 business complex on the old Andover airfield. Objectors claim the warehouse will result in around 1,700 lorry movements on the nearby A303 and surrounding roads.

However, Tesco says it "doesn't make sense" to propose a scheme that makes journeys difficult for staff drivers and the local community, and it will try to find alternative roles and relocation packages for employees if the Weybridge site closes. Goodman's planned business complex has met with furious objections from residents and MPs, who say the 'megashed' will cause mayhem on a road network already working at capacity. Tesco admits the A303 junction is already working at 107% capacity, but adds that Goodman proposes to make improvements which will reduce this to 70%.

A Tesco spokeswoman says: "The percentage of LGVs from the proposed site that would use the A303 westbound is approximately 2.4% the percentage that would use the A303 eastbound is approximately 62.6%. However, it should be noted that the main route east would also be used for a significant number of southerly stores such as Southampton and Portsmouth as [vehicles] would be routed along the A303 and then south  on the A34."

The Unite union says it has concerns over Tesco closing existing depots in favour of new sites and then rewriting contracts of employment. A spokeswoman for union Usdaw adds: "Usdaw, its representatives and staff at the Weybridge depot have been fully consulted on the proposals around Andover and are being kept up to date with developments." The local planning authority says updated noise and pollution assessments from Goodman and final consultation replies from the county council have still not yet been received so no decision has been made.