Expansion of Wem store will go ahead

Controversial pans to double the size of a supermarket in Shropshire creating 30 jobs have been approved – despite a petition signed by more than 400 people.

Shropshire Council has approved plans to expand the Co-operative store just off High Street in Wem. Residents had expressed fears the scheme would kill off the town, put children's lives in danger and increase traffic.

Shropshire Council approved the plans using delegated powers.

A report on behalf of the council says: "The proposed extensions are supported in principle and it is considered that the potential impact on the town centre is balanced against the potential benefits to the town centre.

"The extensions will not result in any increase in delivery vehicles and there is sufficient capacity within the town centre car park, which will reduce the likelihood of on-road parking by shoppers."

"An appropriate surface water drainage solution is available and the provision of public toilets is supported."

The plans submitted to Shropshire Council will see part of the store demolished and a new single storey extension built on the north-east side of the shop to increase the sales area.

Steven Floyd, who set up the petition against the plans, claimed lorries would not get down the narrow residential street and warned that children would be in danger.

But bosses at the Midcounties Co-operative claimed it would help keep the town centre 'viable' in the future.

A spokesman for the Co-operative said: "Wem does need further retail provision and the worst thing for the town would be an out-of-town retailer.

"We are only increasing the store size because we are unable currently to offer the breadth of range that customers have told us they require.

"We do want to give people the opportunity to buy all their goods in Wem rather than travelling outside."