Decision on Market Drayton supermarket plan delayed
Residents in Market Drayton will have longer to wait to find out if a new Sainsbury's supermarket will be built in the town after an alternative site was proposed.
A decision on the plans for a store at the Vicon Works industrial units off the A53 was due to be made this week.
But planning officers will now have to decide if the application should go before a Shropshire Council committee.
The 30,200 sq ft store would create 200 jobs and include a 250-space car park, restaurant, bakery and recycling centre.
But Danbank Developments Ltd and two other landowners want the store built instead on their land off Greenfields Lane.
In an objection to the current proposals the company said the store would be too far out of the town centre. A letter to Shropshire Council planners said: "A foodstore at Greenfields Lane will enhance local consumer choice and improve competition.
"It will relieve pressure on the only existing 'full offer' store, Morrisons, Maer Lane, and will reduce the need for residents to travel... reducing fuel miles and keeping people shopping locally."
Instead the new proposals include widening Greenfields Lane and creating a six pump petrol station. The alternative store would be 29,000sq ft with 250 car parking spaces and restaurant.
Karen Townend, planning officer for Shropshire Council, said: "The decision won't be made this week, we have not yet decided if it will be made by delegated powers or by the North Shropshire Planning Committee."
Ben Littman, regional development manager for Sainsbury's, said: "We received a positive response from the community during public consultation, with many stating they are excited about the prospect of improved shopping choice and the local job creation the store will bring to Market Drayton."
Owner of the Vicon Works, Glen James, said he was not worried by this objection and it was 'just politics'.
He said: "The site they are proposing has been designated for housing so it will have to be a change in planning."
