Public air views on rival Market Drayton superstore bid

Plans for a store off Greenfields Lane in the town, submitted to Shropshire Council by Danbank Developments, went on show for residents to see yesterday.

Tesco is believed to be behind the plans, which are in direct competition with proposals submitted by bosses at Sainsbury's for a store on the other side of the town, at the Vicon Works Industrial Unit off the A53.

Andrew Price, from Danbank Developments, would not confirm which supermarket is behind the plans, but said: "The operator will be announced in the next fortnight.

"We are just in the process of dotting the i's and crossing the t's.

"A lot of people seem to prefer the Sainsbury's brand rather than Tesco, which I was surprised about."

About 50 people went to the session at the Festival Drayton Centre in its first hour yesterday.

The consultation session ran from 2pm to 7pm.

Among the early arrivals was Shirley Salmon, 31, from Hampton Drive, who said: "It is just what we already know, we were hoping to find out more.

"It is a waiting game really, we want to know what happens next."

Margaret Clark, 69, said: "I am not happy there are two big proposals.

"It seems to me that the Sainsbury's one has been on the cards a lot longer. This one has come up."

She added: "Which one it should be, I don't know."

But Tony Dunford, 70, and his wife Carol, said that they welcomed the new proposals.

"I think it is a better place than the A53 because that is a busy road," Mrs Dunford said.

"We're pleased with what we've seen, we think it's going to be Tesco – which is good."

The proposals by Danbank Developments include a 45,000sq ft food store, a petrol station and a new road layout, as well as links to improved sports facilities and about 150 homes.

The Sainsbury's plans are for a 30,200 square foot superstore with a restaurant, bakery, recycling centre and a 250-space car park.

Both supermarkets would, it is thought, create about 200 jobs.

But Neville Lorrimer, 81, and his wife Joan, 74, who live in Croft Way, said that there was no need for another supermarket in the town and they did not believe a petrol station should be built on a housing estate.

"I'd be horrified if I lived there," Mrs Lorrimer said.

Gladys and Brian Williams, who also live in the town, said they did not like the layout of the Danbank Development proposals, which would be "dangerous" for motorists.

They also did not support any new supermarket in Market Drayton.