Set-back for Shrewsbury retail park supermarket plan

The Planning Inspectorate has ruled that Cheshire-based applicants Morbaine must take part in a planning hearing.

Final comments regarding the proposed 21,000 sq ft store, off Hereford Road in Meole Brace, were due to be received by planning inspectors today.

Morbaine then hoped a decision could be made on the fate of the new store.

But it has been determined that an informal hearing must now take place, where concerned parties will meet to discuss the matter.

Councillors rejected the plans in August over concerns about the impact on traders in the town centre, the potential for the new development to increase existing traffic problems and the loss of employment land to make way for the site.

They had previously knocked back the plans in May.

A submission by Morbaine to the planning appeal said the decision had been "erroneous, misplaced and unreasonable" and they were hopeful an appeal would be successful.

But they have now been told that a hearing should take place.

Keith Nutter, planning director at Morbaine, said: "Because of the issues surrounding this, the Planning Inspectorate has said he needed to speak with people about it at an informal hearing, where he will try and answer any questions they may have.

"It has been decided it there should be a hearing and it is expected this meeting will take place in June."

Mr Nutter was unable to divulge which supermarket was planning to occupy the site if and when permission is granted.

Campaigners say there is no need for another supermarket at the retail park – which is already home to Sainsbury's and a Waitrose is due to be built off Oteley Road and planning permission for another store on the retail park already granted.

He added: "Until we have the planning permission in place, no-one is going to sign up to it."

Objectors to the plan claim roads on and off to the site will not cope with the increased traffic flow any new store could potentially bring.