A SCHEME to build a new food store in Lymm will go back before councillors tonight, Thursday.

Developers want to turn the now derelict Rushgreen service station into a shop with 35 jobs and parking for 57 cars.

And after visiting the site earlier this month, councillors sitting on the planning applications committee will decide on the plans tonight.

In May the Brookhouse Group, which owns the site, held a public exhibition on the plans which was attended by nearly 400 people.

Responses received during and after the event, indicated that the majority were in favour of the proposal.

Tom Whitehead, town planning manager at Brookhouse said: “We hope that committee members will recognise the benefits that this proposal could offer the local community in Lymm.

"The store would bring this derelict, unsightly land back into use and many of the residents we have spoken to are looking forward to the potential job opportunities it could offer as well as the prospect of more shopping choice and convenience.”

Former Mayor Clr Sheila Woodyatt said she had referred the application to the planning sub-committee because of the “serious local concern about the detrimental effect on the rural character of this part of Rushgreen Road, increase in traffic and potential harm to the viability of the shops in Lymm village centre.”

Neighbours say there is no need for the new shop with a Sainsbury’s Local available on The Cross and say it could threaten current businesses.

They also argue the increased traffic would worsen existing congestion which can build up on Rushgreen Road.

If approved by Warrington Borough Council, construction is likely to start later this year which means the new store could be open in summer 2015.

The meeting starts at 6.30pm in the Town Hall and members of the public are welcome to attend.