Indigo Planning has this week taken a step forward in the race to build a supermarket in Newport.
The developer, working on behalf of David Tringham, submitted a formal planning application on Monday.
Indigo wants to build a new 33,000sq ft foodstore at the former Classic Furniture site on Audley Avenue.
Talks have already taken place with Sainbury’s and Morrisons, which are both said to be keen to move into the town.
The plans also include a wildlife and allotment area on adjoining land adjacent to the A41 and a business park, which was granted planning permission in 2009.
Indigo’s plans will go head-to-head with plans by developers Davidsons Developments and St Modwen, which also include a supermarket.
It seems impossible that both schemes will be given the go-ahead.
Indigo associate Aoife Conacur said the Audley Avenue site was the best for Newport.
She said: “We have carried out a thorough assessment of alternative sites which has concluded that there are no town centre or edge-of-centre sites that could accommodate the proposed new foodstore.
“The application site for the proposed new foodstore is located in an existing commercial area so will not result in disturbance to residential properties, and is located next to Newport by-pass so it already benefits from good highways accessibility.”
The allotments have been added to the plans following a public exhibition in June.
There is currently a waiting list of about 40 for allotments in Newport.
A new bus service would be provided to link the new foodstore with the town centre and the surrounding residential areas, including Church Aston, Edgmond and Gnosall.
It is anticipated there would be a bus every 20 to 30 minutes, six days a week.
Ms Conacur added: “The new foodstore will provide choice to the people of Newport.
“The existing food retail does not meet the needs of many local residents in terms of the range and choice of goods or value for money.
“This is evident by the significant scale of food shopping trips that are undertaken at large foodstores located outside Newport, particularly in Telford and Donnington Wood.”
By Sean Wozencroft