PLANS to bring building material by rail to a controversial Gerrards Cross Tesco store have been scrapped.

The supermarket giant was today refused permission to bring in bulk fill material to the site in Packhorse Road.

Its original plans, to build the store on a new tunnel over the railway, were delayed when the tunnel collapsed two-and-a-half-years-ago.

Buckinghamshire County Council's development control committee today rejected the plans.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Michael Kissman said: "We now have the option to complete the store using lorry deliveries instead.

"We are amazed the council has taken a decision that could now result in over 10,000 additional lorry journeys on local village roads, our plans would have avoided this.

"This decision is a victory for no-one and a defeat for common-sense and the community."

But councillors heard Tesco had not been given all the necessary safety approvals from Network Rail.

And residents raised concerns about health, noise, dust, odour and disruption to residents, workers and shopkeepers.