A SUPERMARKET giant has been asked to address concerns over its new proposed Oswestry store.

Morrisons hopes to build a supermarket and petrol station on vacant land on Shrewsbury Road.

But it has been asked to address lengthy transport concerns raised by members of Oswestry Civic Society in September, who say it does not meet national standards.

David Ward, said the society did not maintain an objection “in principle”, but warned of concerns about the layout of the site.

He said: “The essence of the society’s comments was that the design now proposed is an outdated mode which takes little account of the thrust of local and national policies.

“The distribution of uses throughout the site makes it poor in terms of townscape, and inconvenient for access by any mode other than private car.”

In particular, Mr Ward noted the position of the petrol station which he said may not be necessary in years time when combustion engine vehicles are phased out and, along with the car parking provision in front of the store, would lengthen pedestrian routes.

He also said more effort should be made on looking at how the store serves those using public transport and on bikes, adding that the nearby roundabouts and road network would be dangerous for pedestrians.

And he also commented on the plans to build homes further along the road.

Mr Ward added: “Furthermore, it is noted that the transport assessment has not taken any account of the development of 750 dwellings now the subject of outline planning approval immediately adjacent to the site across Shrewsbury Road.

“Whether or not this was done in agreement with the planning authority, it is devious and mendacious to carry on as though these developments will have no impact. They cannot do other than markedly increase all traffic and pedestrian movements, and therefore risk, in the locality.”

Finally, Mr Ward referred to the Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID) and its view that the town should be “a great place to be” and new buildings should develop its “sense of identity”.

Philip Mullineux, principal planner at Shropshire Council, asked Chris Creighton, of agents Peacock and Smith, to respond earlier this month.

He said: “I would appreciate if you could give this matter some consideration and indicate how you consider the proposal confirms with the advice as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to which the Civic Society considers development as proposed does not comply with.”

Mr Mullineux also raised his own concerns, adding: “I am conscious of our recent discussions during which I raised in particular my concerns with regards to landscaping of the site and the need for landscape mitigation and landscape enhancement as clearly the development as proposed will lead to loss of the existing trees adjacent to the boundary of the site and compensation for their loss is required.”

A decision on the proposal was expected from Shropshire Council last week.