COLYTON residents have criticised East Devon District Council for excluding them in consultations for a proposed Tesco store in Seaton.

COLYTON residents have criticised East Devon District Council for excluding them in consultations for a proposed Tesco store in Seaton.Parishioners say they should have been consulted on the retail impact statement - as the proposed development would threaten the town's shops.Some residents have written to East Devon District Council and are calling for a halt to Tesco expansion.Colin Haynes, from Haynes Hardware, in Market Place, said in a letter to the council: "The economic viability and survival of Colyton is under increasing pressure and action is needed to provide support and protection for its long term future."Tesco's determination to dominate this part of East Devon is detrimental in the extreme to local towns and small businesses. Their push for increased retail space in Seaton, Axminster and Honiton, regardless of effect, should be halted."Chairman of Colyton Business Association Nick Bunckle said: "Colyton parish council will be discussing the issue at its next meeting in two weeks' time, but said it could not comment at the moment."A spokesperson for EDDC said that they notified residents in the immediate vicinity, but it was not practical to inform residents in all neighbouring communities.He added that the retail impact assessment was not designed to check whether people in neighbouring towns and villages had been consulted.He said: "Once people are aware of the proposals they are, of course, free to comment on any aspect of the development - including the retail impact."Any representations received from residents of Colyton - or any other neighbouring community - will be noted and taken into account as part of the wider picture when the application comes up for consideration.