Whitchurch Aldi store plans have 'insufficient detail'

Shropshire Council's consultants Mouchel said there was currently a lack of detail submitted with the application by Aldi to create a store off Wrexham Road, Whitchurch.

Concerns were raised by residents and the town council about the site of the proposed store being located off a busy road.

Aldi said it would be providing extra information for the council in "due course".

A report by Mouchel said: "There is insufficient detail submitted with the application to make an informed highway comment at this time. A transport assessment has been provided. However, it does not appear to contain any surveyed traffic speeds, volumes or junction capacity information relating to either the site access or the A41/A525/B5398 roundabout.

"It is considered the proposed site access and egress arrangements needs to be demonstrated in relation to the prevailing design standards and in terms of the relationship to eastbound traffic exiting the A41/A525/B5398 roundabout.

"Off-site traffic management/parking scheme works along a section of Wrexham Road, between the junctions with Liverpool Road and Thompson Drive, are discussed within the submitted transport assessment but discounted following a public consultation exercise."

Despite backing plans for a new Aldi supermarket in Whitchurch in principle, members of the town council said they could not support the scheme because of concerns about the site being off a busy road.

The proposed store, which would create up to 40 jobs, was discussed by town councillors at the latest meeting of the council's planning committee.

A statement on behalf of Aldi said: "We are aware of the request for further information from Shropshire Council.

"Aldi consulted the community on a range of proposed traffic management measures. Following this feedback, we revised the highways plans in line with their comments. We will be responding to the council in due course."