Sainsbury's in line for new store

Sainsbury's is set to win approval to open up the first-ever supermarket in Wombourne, the Express & Star can reveal today.

Its plans to build a supermarket at Heath Mill Road industrial estate have been recommended for delegated approval by South Staffordshire Council on Tuesday.

If the regulatory committee agrees, Sainsbury's will be given permission as long as a conditions are met on road improvements, a revised parking layout, a shuttle bus service and a financial contribution towards nature reserve Wombrook Walk. The firm has already had one bid to open a supermarket on the land refused, despite 700 villagers signing a petition in support.

The store would create 250 jobs and be open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. A shuttle bus would take shoppers between the supermarket and the village centre on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and traffic lights would be installed at the junction of Bridgnorth Road and Heath Mill Lane.

Rival Tesco also wants to create a supermarket near the Sainsbury's site and is planning to appeal after its application was rejected in May. Earlier this month parish councillors voted against a motion to support the bid for a Sainsbury's over fears on the impact on local traders.

Wombourne resident Anna Owen, aged 55, said today: "If necessary we are prepared to hold a village poll to prove the point that the vast majority of people who live here approve of the supermarket proposal."

Fellow campaigner Georgina Saunders added: "There is a desperate need for a supermarket in Wombourne and Sainsbury's is the prefered choice of most people living here. All we want is for the councillors we elect to do what we want."