Supermarket plans to create 250 jobs

Fresh details have been unveiled today by a supermarket giant which plans to build a store in a Shropshire town.

Sainsbury's has submitted an application to Shropshire Council to build a 2,789 square metre food store at a site off London Road, in Whitchurch.

It would create up to 250 jobs and 337 parking spaces for customers and staff use, of which 20 will be for disabled use and 15 for parent and child use.

The scheme also involves creating a servicing area, recycling centre, trolley bays, access road and landscaping.

The application has been lodged by the supermarket and developer Terrace Hill following a public exhibition in November.

A report on behalf of the applicant says of the consultation exercise: "Overall, the public was extremely positive with only six per cent stating that they did not support the scheme.

"A few respondents commented that the proposal would not complement the existing retail facilities in Whitchurch and would have a detrimental impact upon the existing town centre.

"This issue has been investigated in detail. This concluded that the proposed new Sainsbury's would not have any significant adverse impact, either individually or cumulatively, upon the vitality and viability of Whitchurch town centre."

The public has until January 19 to comment.The application can be seen online at www.shropshire. gov.uk/

Meanwhile, Tesco intends to build a store and petrol station at Edgeley Park in the town in a scheme that could create about 300 jobs.

The Tesco plan involves the redevelopment of Whitchurch Rugby and Hockey Club but no planning application has so far been submitted.