Decision due soon on Sainsbury's Whitchurch bid

Plans by Sainsbury's to build a store in Whitchurch and create up to 250 jobs could be decided by planning officials next month, it has been claimed. The plans will include a 300-space car park and customer restaurant.

The proposal, in conjunction with Terrace Hill Group Plc, is for a store off London Road.

A spokesman for Terrace Hill Group Plc today said a planning application which was submitted last year was in its "final stage" and could be decided by Shropshire Council's north planning committee in June.

The applicants say they are confident all questions on the application have been addressed. Duncan McEwan, Terrace Hill development director, said: "After working with council officers to address issues raised following our previous public consultation, we are delighted the application should be decided in June."

After the submission of further details on the application, people are asked to comment on proposals for the last time by May 24.

Gareth Proffitt, spokesman for Shropshire Council, said: "We have requested additional information from Sainsbury's in relation to their application and this is currently out to consultation.

"The date the application goes to planning committee won't be decided until the consultation period has ended and we have considered all the consultation responses, though the June meeting is the earliest that it could go to committee."

Tesco has also lodged a plan for a store out of town at Edgeley Park.