A DISCOUNT supermarket that could create up to 25 jobs in Stowmarket looks set to be vetoed.Officials at Mid Suffolk District Council have recommended councillors refuse planning permission for a proposed store on the former Willowcroft service station site on Bury Road because it is too far from the town centre.

By James Fraser

A DISCOUNT supermarket that could create up to 25 jobs in Stowmarket looks set to be vetoed.

Officials at Mid Suffolk District Council have recommended councillors refuse planning permission for a proposed store on the former Willowcroft service station site on Bury Road because it is too far from the town centre.

Plans for discount food retailers Lidl to move into the proposed single storey store fall foul of government guidelines on supporting town centre development – although the application, which was put forward by site owners Petrol Hypermarkets Ltd, could see the creation of 15 full-time and ten part-time staff.

The plans include proposals for 120 car parking spaces at the site which would welcome between 450 and 700 vehicles a day.

Objections have been received from rival retailers Asda, who intend to lodge plans for an 8,000 sq ft extension to their store in Stowmarket's Meadow Centre, and another rival discount food store that wants to set up shop on part of the Waterworks site.

Although officers have said that the Lidl plans would give shoppers more choice in the town, they have asked for "more conclusive" evidence that sites nearer the town centre could be dismissed before the Willowcroft spot be redeveloped.

The council's planning control committee was due to meet at its Needham Market offices today to discuss the proposals.