A DECISION will be made next week on whether Tesco will be able to transport building materials to the Gerrards Cross site by train.

The application, which is for extended use of a rail siding at the site near Packhorse Road, will be recommended for refusal when it goes before Buckinghamshire County Council's Development Control Committee on September 11.

The superstore will apply to use and restore the siding area until December 31, 2009.

A previous application to restore the site and use the rail siding was refused by the county council's Development Control Committee in June because of concerns about the impact on the environment and amenity.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Michael Kissman says the company expect it will save approximately ten to 12,000 lorry movements.

He said: "The application will allow us to bring material in by rail. I think the last time the council were concerned about the lack of clarity.

"Since then we have announced we have approval in principle and we are in talks with Network Rail over gaining detailed planning permission.

"The application is for the same reason, the bringing of fill material to the site. We can still build the store either way but we think bringing material in by rail is better and we hope the council agree.

"Obviously we are disappointed that the application is being recommended for refusal.

"We hope residents can see the benefit of the application. We hope they agree that using rail is the best solution for everyone in the village."

If permission is refused Tesco will have to transport material to the site by road, which residents believe may cause traffic chaos and be a nuisance.

Resident Ros Hurn, of Bulstrode Way, Gerrards Cross, said: "As far as I am concerned it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference. My view is Tesco should go away with this application and not resubmit it until they know what they are doing.

"As soon as they know what they are doing and Network Rail has signed off the whole of this project then Tesco should come back.

"Each time they submit an application they are wasting the county council's money and it costs them money and so therefore it costs the taxpayers money.

"Nothing has changed since they put in the last one.

"I think Tesco should tidy up the siding and take away the conveyor belt then everybody should think again."