Whitchurch councillors lack 'expertise' over supermarket decision

Councillors in Whitchurch have failed to formally object or support controversial plans by Tesco to re-develop its existing town centre store.

Proposals by the supermarket giant to alter its store at White Lion Meadow were discussed at Whitchurch Town Council's planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

But councillors said they did not have enough "expertise" to formally make a decision on the scheme one way or the other.

Plans include dividing Tesco's existing premises into two separate retail units, featuring a smaller "convenience" store and an unnamed national retailer.

The proposal submitted to Shropshire Council is part of the firm's larger plan to create a new store and filling station on the edge of town at Edgeley Park.

Members of campaign group WH21, which is against the Edgeley Park development, said the two proposals should be determined at the same time and councillors were "sympathetic" to their concerns at Tuesday's meeting.

Roger McMinn, of WH21, said: "The town council were very grateful and sympathetic to our submissions and in most cases openly in favour of our cause.

"There was broad agreement that the White Lion Meadow and Edgeley Park proposals should be seen in tandem, but that they were above their remit to comment on the full ramification's of the proposals."

Councillor Alan Chesters, of Whitchurch Town Council, said: "The council have not formally objected or supported the application because it felt we did not have the expertise to do so.

"It comes within the scope of the planning officer."

By James Pugh