RADICAL proposals to transform an edge of town shopping complex in Congleton into a large supermarket have divided local people.

West Heath Shopping Centre serves a number of large housing estates, and is earmarked for major redevelopment by its owners.

TBI want to create a 22,600 feet supermarket on the site, together with eight small shop units, a pub and 290-space car park.

The owners say redevelopment of the centre is the only commercially viable option for its future, and to carry on as at present would only serve to undermine its role as a local shopping centre.

However the TBI scheme has divided local people, with hundreds of centre customers and precinct shopkeepers on the one hand supporting the redevelopment plans.

On the other are scores of local residents who claim the scheme would mean less shopping choice for local people as well as traffic congestion, noise and pollution.

Congleton Civic and Environmental Society also opposes the proposals, claiming the centre's role should not be that of a large out of town supermarket, drawing shoppers and cars from all over the area.

The planned supermarket and car park is slightly smaller than TBI originally wanted, and have been reduced after borough councillors threw out its initial scheme in February.

Councillors rejected the proposals, claiming they would harm the precinct's role as a district shopping centre, as well as the viability of Congleton town centre.

However TBI are poised to win the go-ahead for the redevelopment after receiving support from borough planning chief Geoff Allen.

The revised scheme would not significantly undermine retailing in Congleton town centre, he said, and retaining the pub and eight shops would reinforce the centre's role as a local shopping centre.

He appreciated residents' concerns about the impact of the scheme on their privacy and quality of life, but felt such issues could be addressed at the detailed planning stage.

Mr Allen is recommending approval of the TBI scheme to members of the borough planning committee, which meets next Monday.

Some 444 centre customers signed a petition backing the redevelopment, which is also supported by six independent shopkeepers who have premises there.

Petitions containing more than 100 names have been sent to the council opposing the scheme, as well as 17 letters.

The civic society said a large supermarket might attract trade from town centre supermarkets and shops, and its nearness to the Waggon and Horses "bottleneck" would make traffic congestion worse.

It added that reducing the number of shops from 11 to eight would reduce choice for local people.

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