What House? Exclusive: Tesco deny plans to build “mini-villages”

‘Every Little Helps' when it comes to building more affordable homes in this country, but news that Tesco plans to construct four "mini-villages" in the South East of England along with "mixed-use living and leisure" schemes in Ipswich and northeast England, is "nonsense", according to a Tesco spokesman.

Tesco will reportedly start building new and affordable homes again, following the recent recovery in the housing market, having first developed affordable homes in Kensington, in partnership with the local housing association, in 1997.

But while the supermarket chain does not deny the fact that they are currently eyeing up plots for potential mixed-use developments, including new build homes, in areas such as Dartford, Kent, Streatham, and Woolwich, among other parts of London, it argues that this is nothing new.

The Tesco spokesman said: "We have been developing new and affordable homes for thirteen years, and so there is nothing new there. We have long invested in areas in need of investment, and so we do not know why this is suddenly being presented as fresh news.

"Only last year, Tesco finished construction work on a mixed-use scheme in Orpington, Bromley. It is no secret that Tesco wants to build more mixed-use projects in Streatham, Woolwich and Dartford. These plans were initially unveiled five years ago. But to suggest that Tesco is going to be constructing mini-villages is nonesence.

"Tesco is also seeking fresh mixed-use investment opportunities across other parts of London."