Fresh hopes for Tesco decision

Plans for a new Tesco superstore in a Mid Wales town could be moving forward again by the end of the month, according to a council planning chief.

The Welsh Assembly ordered Powys County Council last month to put plans on hold for a Tesco superstore in Pool Road, Newtown, along with a plan for a Lidl foodstore in Llanidloes Road, while they considered whether to call them in for a decision by AMs.

Assembly planners returned the Lidl application to the council for a decision, but have remained silent about Tesco.

However, Gareth Thomas, the council's head of planning services, said he was confident the Assembly would decide soon.

"There is a holding order on the application and the Welsh Assembly Government are reviewing it at the moment, with a view to calling it in or allowing the council to proceed," he said.

"In fairness, the Assembly have quickened their response rate. They have taken up to 12 months in the past, but I would hope a decision would be made this January.

"They released the Lidl application, which still needs a little negotiation, so I would hope there will be a decision within a month."

The Assembly's holding directive meant Powys County Council could not grant planning consent for the developments.

They remained "on hold" while the Assembly looked at the full details and considered the strategic implications.

After this, the Assembly could either allow the applications to continue or 'call in' either or both for determination in Cardiff Bay.

The Assembly would normally only call in applications if they raised issues of more than local interest.