Lib Dems welcome RBKC U-Turn on Portobello Court

9.19.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 20th Jun 2009

Carol Caruana, here with a resident in Portobello Court

Local Lib Dem campaigner Carol Caruana has welcomed the decision NOT to build shops over the Portobello Court housing estate. The plan, supported by Conservative councillors, would have seen residents bought out and re-housed to make room for shops including a supermarket.

"Residents have endured months of uncertainty and thousands of pounds of our tax money has been wasted on drawing up plans which have now been shelved." said Carol. "Many people all over Colville had been against the plans. I was worried that a supermarket on that site could have killed off what is left of the mid-week fruit & veg and grocery market which the Council should be protecting.

"But above all this is a victory for residents of Portobello Court and beyond who stood up to the Council and said a very firm 'NO'. This is a good day for local residents!"