TESCO has amended its plans for a superstore in Middlewich just weeks after the original blueprints were recommended for approval.

The grocery giant has submitted an alternative planning application which has been described as a ‘fallback position’ by town councillors.

Clr Keith Bagnall, chairman of Middlewich Town Council’s planning committee, outlined the changes at a meeting last week.

If the revised plans are approved, it will see Tesco’s service yard remain where it is rather than moving directly behind St Ann’s Walk.

He said that this was due to concerns raised by nearby residents about noise and disruption.

Tesco has also removed the part of the existing car park, consisting of around 60 spaces, which is owned by Cheshire East Council.

Clr Simon McGrory said Tesco is in negotiations with the borough council to take over its share of the car park.

But it has been removed from the latest plans as it is understood there has been an issue with the timeframe.

Similarly, the public toilets in Southway do not feature in the new blueprints due to ownership issues as the town council could soon be running them.

A piazza area for two retail units has also been added. There is speculation one of these units could become a Costa coffee shop.

The changes mean a public realm space, potentially for markets, has been lost.

Clr McGrory said: “In essence the question about this is are we losing part of the public community benefit that we put in place on the previous development and in doing so creating a ghetto car park?

“Does this negate everything in the previous application?”

Clr McGrory was also concerned that the chance would be lost to deal with the antisocial behaviour issues which have persisted in the car park.

“It would be a landlocked den of iniquity,” he added.

But Clr Bagnall said: “This provides a car park facility for parents to pick up their kids from school which isn’t a bad thing.”

St Ann's Road resident Patricia Cooley, who attended the meeting, said the new plans were causing confusion.

She added: “I don’t understand why two applications can be running at the same time when a decision has yet to be made on one.”

Middlewich Town Council’s planning committee recommended the plans for approval but has urged Cheshire East Council to insist that a public realm area be incorporated back into the scheme.

================================== TOWN chiefs will ask for a pedestrian crossing to be built in Wheelock Street as part of Tesco’s superstore plans.

Concerns were raised about the impact the scheme could have on road safety at Middlewich Town Council’s planning meeting.

Alan Langley, of Lindisfarne Close, said: “The thing that concerns me is the safety of pedestrians on Wheelock Street if traffic increases to levels expected.

“There’s no footpath alongside the vehicle entrance.”

Councillors agreed that Mr Langley’s concerns were ‘valid’ and agreed that there should be a pedestrian crossing near Ivy House if Tesco’s plans go ahead.

Clr Keith Bagnall added: “I’m more than happy to ask that to be a condition when it’s considered by Cheshire East Council.”

After the meeting, Clr Bagnall also spoke out about the petition against Tesco.

He feels the new store will help traders.

Clr Bagnall added: “For the majority who do their main shop outside of the town, it’s as if Wheelock Street doesn’t exist.

“This will actually bring them through Wheelock Street. From an economic point of view, this is a major bonus for businesses and shops.”