An Oswestry developer is calling on the council to reconsider its plans for a supermarket in the centre of town.

J Ross Developments, the developer behind the proposals for the Central Car Park site, has written to Oswestry Town Council, which owns the land, asking to discuss the merits of its plans for a town centre foodstore.

With its planning application due to be submitted imminently, J Ross Developments believes the Town Council should see the latest detailed scheme proposals for the car park which have been amended.

The council has said the land is unavailable for development as they are legally committed to plans with Liberty Mercian to build on the Smithfield livestock site.

Timber firm Richard Burbidge wants to relocate from its Whittington Road site, allowing Tesco to build a store in its place and JT Hughes and Guttercrest want to relocate and build a store across their neighbouring sites in Victoria Road.

But J Ross Developments says its proposals have been amended to improve the highways and car parking capacity for Oswestry.

Spencer Cooper, of J Ross Developments said: “The Town Council has not seen our new scheme and it really should, prior to us submitting the application, if it is going to make such huge decision on Oswestry’s future prosperity.

“We understand the Town Council is looking to extend its contract with Liberty Mercian to take the development agreement beyond the current contract date of 2014.

“Why do this if you have not even seen how the town centre proposals have been improved through public consultation?”

Margaret Chamberlain, town mayor, said: “Ross Developments are aware, from their recent meeting with the council, that it is legally committed to the proposals to develop the Smithfield site.

“These have been the subject of the widest consultation. They will bring benefits to Oswestry including a multi-screen cinema alongside safeguarding the future of the livestock market and its many associated businesses. The council now awaits the planning debate.”

By Suzanne Roberts