Supermarket plan 'threatens Oswestry revival'

Oswestry's retail "revival" will be put at risk if councillors approve plans for a multi-million pound supermarket, campaigners claimed today. Councillors will decide on Thursday which one of four bids gets the go-ahead.

Planning officers have recommended the application by J Ross Development to build the store on Oswestry's Central Car Park should be approved.

But the Keep Our Town Special coalition, an organisation comprising members of campaign group Oswestry 21, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Oswestry Civic Society, said today a new store would "wreck" Oswestry's retail experience.

Mike Bullen, chairman of CPRE Oswestry, said: "The Central Car Park scheme is vastly oversize for a town the size of Oswestry."

Saffron Rainey, chairman of the Oswestry Civic Society, said: "Oswestry is enjoying a great revival. A new superstore, wherever in the town it is located, will wreck the unique atmosphere of Oswestry.

"Shropshire Council has a once in a lifetime opportunity to keep this town special."