BOURTON could be heading for a new Midcounties Co-Operative store after plans were recommended for approval.

Cotswold District Council's planning committee is set to discuss the plans to demolish the former Salmonsbury House care home site in Station Road to make way for a new single-storey food store at a meeting on Wednesday (July 9).

The plans, which include 100 car parking spaces, have been referred to the committee over the parish council's concerns about the proposed exit for delivery vehicles which they say will open onto one of the narrowest parts of Station Road.

Speaking at this month's parish council meeting, Chairman Bryan Sumner said: “I’m very concerned our voice is not being heard. Engineers keep submitting reports telling me you can drive a truck around the right angle bend and you don’t interrupt traffic the other side.

“I’ve measured the road width, it’s five yards wide. You won’t do it unless you stop all the traffic in both directions. We don’t object to the Co-op site, we just want to be listened to on various small points.”

However in his report, case officer Martin Perks said while acknowledging their concerns, there is already a pinch point in the road where vehicles slow down to accommodate other vehicles.

"The crossing of the central white line by delivery vehicles will not therefore represent an unusual situation on the stretch of road in question," he said.

"Moreover, information in the applicant's Transport Assessment states a total two articulated lorries, two rigid trucks and two transit vans would typically visit the store each day.

"The number of large vehicles leaving the site each day will not therefore be significant and not of a level considered to have a severe impact on the local highway network.

"The applicant has also designed the exit to be a left turn only arrangement."