Co-op bosses look set to be refused permission to build a new supermarket on a busy village main road.

FELIXSTOWE: Co-op bosses look set to be refused permission to build a new supermarket on a busy village main road.

East of England Co-operative Society has seen its recent expansion proceed unhindered with a new store in Hatfield Peverel, plans for another in Coggeshall and multi-million pound revamps of its complexes at Felixstowe, Leiston and Elmswell.

However, its proposal to demolish the Brands garage in High Road, Trimley St Mary, and replace it with a 380 sq m store has hit problems - with Suffolk Coastal councillors recommended to reject it.

More than 180 villagers objected, mainly worried about noise from delivery lorries and extra traffic danger, especially with the proposed store being opposite a large primary school on one of the county's busiest village roads.

Planning and highways officers have no concerns about traffic and said the site is perfectly acceptable for a store.

However, the plans would be an “overdevelopment” of the site and would impact on neighbouring properties.

“The proximity of the actual building and the activities associated with the proposed shop to surrounding residential properties in association with the long hours proposed mean that the neighbouring properties would suffer an unacceptable loss of amenity,” said case officer William Shoote.

In a report to the south area development control sub-committee, which will decide the plan on Thursday , agents for the Co-op said: “The range of provision within the parade of shops on Faulkeners Way would not be directly affected, whilst the McColls store would continue to provide an alternative role, accommodating the Post Office and news agency functions.

“The vitality and viability of Trimley St Mary would therefore not be harmed, and could be considered to be enhanced as a result of the proposals, given the existing lack of retail offer.”

Does Trimley need a supermarket? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk