At tonight’s Vale’s Development Control meeting (Monday) the Liberal Democrat Chairman used his casting vote to grant planning permission for a new Co-Op store in Abingdon’s West Saint Helen Street. Conservative objections to the unsuitability of the design in a conservation area where described by local Lib Dems as “architecturally reactionary”, and their concerns over inadequate parking in the area were disregarded. The development which provides only one parking space for a three bedroom flat, was allowed to proceed despite local concerns that the design, although modern and exciting, would cause long-term damage to an historic part of Abingdon. Conservative Spokesman, Councillor Terry Cox said, “We are disappointed that local concerns over both the design and impact of the proposal have been disregarded.” He described as “reckless” the decision of Liberal Democrat, Jerry Patterson, to recommend that the Co-Op should appeal against the Council if they were refused permission.