Supermarket giant Tesco has announced plans for a housing and retail development in Croxley Green.

The firm wants to build a convenience store and eight flats on the site of the old Broads Motor Group car showroom in Watford Road.

The site, adjacent to the Shell petrol station, was the subject of a similar, rejected application earlier in the year for a convenience store and a large car park.

If approved the 920 square metre development will include parking for 21 cars.

Local residents and retailers have given a mixed reaction to the news.

Daksha Patel, co-owner of the nearby Croxley Green Newsagent, said: "This would be terrible news for us.

"We've been here for 35 years and have never had a problem before.

"There are enough Tesco shops around here already, we don't need any more. Another one would really affect our business.

"Other shops in the parade have an understanding with each other so we don't put ourselves out of business. Everybody survives and people have shops to go to.

"Tesco will not do this and will do what they want to do. We had a meeting with other traders recently and nobody wants it. The new flats mean there will be new customers but they will just go to Tesco."

Paul Woodward, of Croxley Plumbing and Heating, the shop immediately opposite the proposed development, added: "My problem is that Tesco don't seem happy just to dominate the high street, they seem to want to dominate the corner shops as well.

"We've got some great local shops around here and I worry about their futures if this goes ahead. It would be a real shame.

Others, however, gave the plans a cautious welcome, recognising the potential benefits of the plans.

Parish councillor Cliff Vassiliou, owner of Croxley Sport & Leisure, feels the plans should be viewed more as an opportunity for the area.

He said: "New competition keeps you on your toes and the more people that come here the better."

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