Shrewsbury Tesco cannot increase space for non-grocery goods

Retrospective plans by supermarket giant Tesco to increase the amount of space it uses for non-grocery goods at its Shrewsbury 'Extra' store have been rejected by councillors.

Campaigners, who packed a meeting at the Shirehall yesterday, today celebrated the stance taken by councillors and said the decision would provide much-needed relief for town centre traders.

Tesco submitted fresh plans for its Battlefield store after admitting it had "inadvertently" breached its planning consent at the site.

It has been using an additional 624sq m over the permitted figure. The store was applying for the condition to be amended to allow it to have 4,789 sq m of sales floorspace including 2,071 for non-grocery goods.

Members of the central planning committee agreed yesterday to reject the plans on the grounds it conflicts with two local policies and one central government policy concerning planning.

But Susan Bates, council solicitor, said it would have to be referred to the strategic planning committee as it went against officer recommendation and there was a risk on appeal that it may not be defendable.