Sainsbury's gets upper hand in superstore battle

Proposals for a Sainsbury's superstore near Market Drayton has won backing from planning officers.

But a separate plan to build a Tesco store on the outskirts of the town is recommended for refusal.

Planning officers say the Sainsbury's proposal for a 5,000 sq.m store with parking for 265 cars on the Vicon Works estate would bring "positive impacts" including links to the town centre.

But they warn that a 3,700 sq.m foodstore for Tesco, with 195 car spaces and a petrol station, would not comply with the council's development plan as a whole.

Planners say both schemes have merit but warn that "the impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre would be significantly adversely impacted if two stores were approved"

Both plans will be considered by Shropshire Council's planning committee next Tuesday.

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