Tesco has teamed up with Mid Devon Council to produce its first ever ‘eco store’ in Crediton.

The groups will work with the Low Emission Strategies Partnership to improve local air quality at Wellparks on Exeter Road, an area that has a poor level of air quality due to high levels of emissions from road traffic.

In 2006, Crediton was declared an Air Quality Management Area due to high levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.

Observing that a new Tesco store in the area will generate more traffic and congestion, leading to air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, the Council struck a deal with the supermarket giants, granting planning permission only if it contributed up to £2m to refurbish the local railway station, improve the town bus service and help direct traffic away from the nearby area. Both groups hope that the improved public transport will reduce the number of visitors using cars.

Tesco has also announced that it will be using energy efficient lighting, energy efficient small electrical items and other features to minimise its carbon footprint when the store opens in January 2010.

Simon Newcombe, Council environmental protection officer, said: “Work on the Tesco store has begun and the construction phase air quality impacts are being well managed. We are happy to have Tesco as an ambassador for our plan and hope they will lead the way in developing further eco stores in the future. With thoroughly thought out plans and ideas, future developments should be more efficient and have a lower the impact on the environment.”
 

http://www.lowemissionstrategies.org/