I was delighted with the turn out at the recent public meeting on the plans for a Tesco Express in Meadrow, Godalming and extremely proud that so many local residents have joined together in support of Mr and Mrs Patel at R&V Newsagents who are clearly hugely loved by the community. I am also sure the Tesco representatives were not expecting the strength of opposition to their plans. Generally speaking Conservatives support competition and are against politicians deciding what amenities – including shops – are or are not suitable in a town. But I do think the planning system sometimes needs to be better at accounting for the impact on a local area of losing small shops which are so central to its character and community feel.