Residents and traders opposed to the building of a Tesco store in Croxley Green look likely to lose a two-year planning battle next week.

The supermarket giant first applied in December 2006 to build an Express store and eight flats on the site of a former car showroom in Watford Road.

Now in its fourth incarnation the application will finally be decided by Three Rivers District Council’s Development Control Committee on Thursday night.

The 12 member panel, which has previously refused the scheme, has now been advised by council officers to approve a scaled-down store and seven flats.

On the previous two occasions it was due before the panel (and recommended for refusal) the application was withdrawn at the eleventh hour.

The recommendation comes in spite of a hard fought campaign by the Croxley Green Residents’ Association (CGRA).

Its members compiled a 1,477 signature petition and even produced an independent traffic survey highlighting the “negative” impact of the scheme on the already congested Watford Road.

The group also claim the proposed development would force independent rivals out of business.

A council report released this week, however, gave short shrift to the association’s views and findings and recommended approval.

The panel is not obliged to follow the advice of the report and could still choose to dismiss it for a second time.

CGRA chairman Barry Grant is encouraging as many residents as possible to make their feelings known at the meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the council’s Rickmansworth HQ.

Will you be at the meeting? Do you support or oppose the plans. Let us know by commenting below.