Anger at rethink over £10m Shrewsbury supermarket plan
A controversial £10 million supermarket plan in Shrewsbury has been resurrected because of the risk that Shropshire Council's original decision would be overturned on appeal.
The 24,000sq ft foodstore off Hereford Road, Meole Brace, which would create up to 200 jobs, was rejected by councillors in May over fears for pedestrian safety on a busy junction and the impact it could have on nearby supermarkets.
But the same application has now been listed for consideration again and recommended for approval by council planning officers.
In a report, the local authority admits the original refusal would be difficult to defend against any future appeal by developers Morbaine. The operator of the store has not been identified.
A campaign group opposing the development today accused the council of trying to pass the application "under the radar" and said many residents were unaware it had been resubmitted.
Kevin Adams, of the No Supermarket at Meole Brace action group, said: "We would strongly object that certain members of the council planning committee are happy to rubber stamp this proposal without regard for the highway safety of this very congested junction, the loss of revenue to town centre trading and the loss of jobs.
"We have spoken to a lot of residents and business owners in the area who are unaware of the forthcoming planning meeting and are strongly against this new development."
A report that will go before councillors at Shirehall on Wednesday said: "At the meeting on June 20 officers presented (as an exempt item) the advice of counsel relating to the validity of the reasons for refusal and advised that, based on the conclusion that there was a significant risk to the council in trying to defend the reasons cited, that the application would be re-presented to committee for further consideration."
