THE BOSS of the planning authority overseeing a �600m Tesco led development in the East End has hit back after a damning attack on its design.

By Else Kvist

THE BOSS of the planning authority overseeing a �600 million Tesco-led development in the East End has hit back after a damning attack on its design.

Chief executive of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Peter Andrews, said Tesco's investment presented a "once in a life-time" chance to develop a neglected part of Bromley-by-Bow.

Mr Andrews spoke exclusively to the Advertiser as compulsory purchase orders for mostly industrial businesses along the Lea River site were put forward last week.

The government's design watchdog criticised the district centre for being driven by the supermarket giant's investment, saying it had not resulted in a well considered masterplan.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment said future residents would overlook grid-locked traffic on the A12 dual-carriageway Blackwall Tunnel approach and the roof of a new Tesco superstore.

Their report also said the scheme including 293 homes, a hotel, community library, school, and smaller shops, had a disjointed layout and was not well connected with the surrounding community.

Mr Andrews said: "Sometimes I don't think these people know what they are talking about. It seems they are sat in offices looking at plans rather than actually visiting the site.

"Tesco are the landowners and we have to work with some of the land as it is.

"The A12 is effectively a 'motorway' and when it was built cut right through this site and the Teviot estate the other side."

Mr Andrews said the investment would allow them to improve access to the Bromley by Bow tube station and the surrounding community by widening the current A12 subway and put in new roads.

He estimates the development would lead to a �600m investment in the area including contributions to infrastructure and community facilities under a106 planning agreement still being negotiated with Tesco.

He said: "The crown of the jewel is the historic Three Mills and this gives us an opportunity to create a park and a community with restaurant and cafes along the river. It will link the area up with the Olympic site in Stratford creating an early Olympic legacy."

The first development stage will be completed by 2012 while the whole project is expected to take till 2020.