Newport store bid sparks row over roadworks bill

Last week Telford & Wrekin Council confirmed it would be taking plans for a 33,000sq ft supermarket in Audley Avenue in Newport to the High Court.

The authority claims the application fails to provide the necessary funding to ensure the roads will be able to cope with increased traffic.

However applicants Indigo Planning deny the claims and say they will carry out all the works that are legally required.

The application was passed at a public inquiry after Telford & Wrekin Council took too long to make a decision.

At the inquiry the planning inspector ruled £241,000 Indigo had set aside for road works was not required.

Russell Griffin, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "If the inspector's decision is allowed to stand, the council would lose substantial contributions required for highway and transport works.

"The council cannot ignore the impact on Newport should this funding be lost. The council therefore considers that it has a responsibility to challenge the inspector's decision because if it does not, it could result in a substantial amount of public money having to be spent on these works, money the council doesn't have."

Aoife Conacur, from Indigo Planning, said the council was only challenging the decision because it wanted to build a 50,000sq ft Sainsbury's supermarket on green land next to Station Road.

She said Indigo would do highways work around Audley Avenue including upgrading junctions and creating new footpaths and cycle lanes.

Ms Conacur added: "We offered a further contribution of £241,000 towards strategic highways works in the wider area.

"The inspector concluded these works were not necessary."