MP Mark Pritchard slates council over Newport Sainsbury's store plan
MP for The Wrekin, Mark Pritchard, has criticised moves by Telford & Wrekin Council to allow a giant supermarket to be built on green land in Newport.
The Tory claims the local authority has not listened to local people or appreciated the differences between Newport and Telford over plans for a 50,000 sq ft Sainsbury's supermarket on land next to Station Road.
The supermarket plan will be decided at a public inquiry starting on January 29.
Mr Pritchard said: "The whole approach of Telford & Wrekin Council's planning chiefs seems to be to ignore local public opinion.
"People in Newport do not want this supermarket.
"It is as if the council is trying to change the very nature and character of Newport.
"People are fed up with urban councillors in Telford not understanding the uniqueness of rural market towns like Newport."
Mr Pritchard is due to quiz council bosses about the proposal at a meeting that is being held at the Royal Victoria Hotel, in St Mary's Street, from 7pm tonight
A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman said: "As the local planning authority and a Co-operative Council, Telford & Wrekin listens to all representations received from the public and takes them into account when making planning decisions.
"The council does understand and appreciate the nature of Newport and its surroundings but must also respond to and follow government policy and guidance."
By Joseph Masi
