A MAJOR supermarket development in Whitchurch should not go ahead, according to a Shropshire Council chief.

Principal planning officer Karen Townend said Aldi’s proposal to build a new store off Wrexham Road would have “an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre”.

However, in her report, which was released yesterday afternoon ahead of next Tuesday’s North Shropshire planning committee meeting, she said the impact would not be “significant”.

She continued: “The site, taking into account the proposed shopper bus, is not well connected to the town centre to encourage linked trips and use of alternative means of travel other than the private car.

“Furthermore, the application site lies in a historic and rural landscape context and the proposed development is considered to have an adverse impact on the significance of the setting of the non-designated heritage asset and an adverse impact on the immediate landscape.

“The heritage and landscape impacts are not considered to be overcome by mitigation offered by the proposed landscaping or finish material for the building.

“Furthermore, these impacts, in addition to the impact on the town centre and the impact on connectivity, are not considered to be outweighed by the public benefits of the development.”

It comes following a 10-month dispute between Aldi and its rival Lidl, which said the new store would have a negative impact on its existing town-centre outlet.