Redgrave turns wrath on new Tesco store

She is one of the most acclaimed actresses in the world, and probably the most famous Trotskyite.

But firebrand Vanessa Redgrave - supporter of rebel causes and scourge of capitalists everywhere - is now directing her wrath at Tesco.

The supermarket chain has been in negotiations with property developers St James's Investments Ltd to demolish a local cinema and dozens of homes near Hammersmith Town Hall to make way for a massive supermarket and new shops, council offices and homes. The proposals were informally made to Hammersmith and Fulham council in July.

But thanks to a backlash led by the 63-year-old Redgrave, who lives in nearby Ravenscourt Park, it now seems certain that the proposals will not even live long enough to become a planning application.

St James's Investments Ltd started the ball rolling when they bought the UCG Hammersmith cinema on King Street in the spring. They had been looking at development options on adjacent sites, many of which are owned by the council.

But they courted disaster when they suggested the demolition not only of the cinema but of a Quaker's meeting house, a block of council flats - many of which are now owned by their former tenants - and a Thomas Pocklington Trust home for the visually impaired.

The council's initial response was to write to local residents and tenants.

"It is our responsibility to look at all ideas, with a view to getting the best possible development in the borough," they said in July.

"The council is approached by developers with ideas all of the time, many of which come to nothing. We can assure residents that if this proposal is pursued it would be subject to a planning application, including full public consultation. The welfare of tenants or leaseholders will be fully respected."

The residents were not, however, reassured and Redgrave joined 250 of them at a furious meeting last week. "We'll mount a boycott of Tesco and organise a rota of pickets giving out leaflets saying how you buy better food elsewhere," Ms Redgrave told a receptive audience.

Residents of Marryat Court, which stands on one of the borough's few remaining tree-lined streets without through traffic, would have been forced to sell their homes by compulsory purchase order.

Heather Taylor, who has lived in the flats for seven years, said: "I was quite distressed. This is a great community, people look out for you if you live here."

Tesco's response was defensive. A spokeswoman said: "It is early days and we have not yet made a decision on the development.

"Whatever happens we always value the views of local people and would consult fully with the council and the community."

Now it appears that Redgrave's wrath has had its effect and that Tesco will not get the chance to consult anyone.

Council leader Andrew Slaughter told the Standard today that the residents' representation had been decisive. "We are minded to refuse the proposal from St James's Investments Ltd for a new supermarket and offices next to Hammersmith Town Hall," he said.

Local MP Iain Coleman, who also lobbied against the development scheme, said: "I am very relieved that a clear message is being sent to the developers that proposals to demolish sound homes and wreck a stable community for commercial gain will be a non-starter in Hammersmith."

No one at St James's Investments Ltd was available to comment.