Plan for new Morrisons store in Oswestry are redrawn
Plans for a giant new supermarket in Oswestry have been revised, with parts of the scheme axed and others expanded.
The proposal from Morrisons to build on the former livestock market off Shrewsbury Road was submitted in June.
It promised to create 60 full and part-time jobs, on top of the 100 staff already employed at the firm's Station Road store in the town centre.
But a revised scheme was submitted to Shropshire Council last week.
The new proposal has scaled back some elements including the plant rooms, while the LPG enclosure at the proposed petrol station has been scrapped.
The entrance to the Severn Trent pumphouse on the site has also been relocated, while some changes have been made to the external lighting.
But the store itself has seen an increase in the size of the mezzanine floor level, while some changes have been made to the entrance canopy.
Details of why the changes were necessary have been explained.
The proposal has attracted two objections. The first is from Oswestry Civic Society, which objected to the layout of the site and its impact on pedestrians and their safety.
Assessment
The second has come from the Environment Agency, which voiced concern over the use of underground tanks for the petrol station.
Last week, Graeme Irwin, senior planning advisor, for the Environment Agency reiterated a request for a groundwater assessment to confirm the depth of the water table.
He added: “This may demonstrate that the tanks will be sites an appropriate distance above any possible groundwater levels.
“Alternatively, if there is likely to be sub water table storage of pollutants, it will be necessary for the application to demonstrate substantial mitigating factors to help minimise impact upon groundwater.”
The site had initially received planning permission in 2011 to be developed into a £45 million leisure complex with a cinema and restaurants, however it never came to fruition.
As part of the plans, Morrisons says it hopes the new store will encourage the development of the adjacent site with the possibility of creating food and drink outlets.
A decision is expected from Shropshire Council by October 15.
Report by Emily Lloyd, Local Democracy Reporter
