£10m Shrewsbury store bid is likely to be rejected
Plans for a £10 million supermarket in Shropshire town look likely to be thrown out amid concerns over its potential impact on existing businesses.
The proposed 24,000sqft foodstore off Hereford Road, Meole Brace, in Shrewsbury which would create around 150 jobs, is to go before Shropshire Council's central planning committee next week for the third time.
It was rejected by councillors in May over fears for pedestrian safety on a busy junction and the impact it could have on nearby supermarkets.
The application went before councillors again last month after officers warned the original reasons given for refusal would be difficult to uphold if developers Morbaine decided to appeal.
A decision was deferred last month – resulting in a report going to next week's meeting with new reasons for refusal listed. These include traffic concerns, loss of employment land and the potential impact on existing businesses in both the local area and the town centre as reasons for refusal.
It said: "The applicants have failed to adequately demonstrate there will not be a significant adverse impact on existing investment in local centres or the vitality and viability of Shrewsbury town centre.
"The proposed development will lead to the loss of important and flexible employment land and infrastructure without appropriate replacement.
"It will exacerbate existing highway problems at the access to the site and on the immediately adjoining local highway network, to the detriment and safety of highway users."
The scheme is also being opposed by Shrewsbury Town Council, with the authority raising similar concerns about the proposals.
The meeting to decide on the supermarket will take place at Shirehall on Thursday, starting from 2pm.
