Public opinion mixed over proposed Sainsbury's in Shipston

Plans have been submitted to Stratford District Council for a new Sainsbury's "neighbourhood hub store" in Shipston on Stour.

The Store would be located on brownfield land at the corner of Tileman's Lane and Darlingscote Road and would be over 6000 sq ft, creating around 40 new jobs for the community. 

Sainsbury's say that the store would run on 100 per cent renewable electricity and have 50 parking spaces, not to mention EV charging as well as disabled and parent & child spaces. 

The proposed site is situated near the bus stop for the 51 and 75 buses. 

Proposed plans (Image: Stratford District council)

K Billing from Sutton Under Brailes, said on the applicationa: "Thoughts and consideration have gone into this application. 

"The location is well met, providing very little competitive impact on the high street stores. 

"The provision of much needed car parking is a huge benefit to the town and surrounding villages who are in desperate need of a larger store with parking."

The town council has held consultations with residents with most seeming relatively happy. 

However there are concerns surrounding more traffic, with the public not happy to see lorries coming through the centre of Shipston. 

This would mean that lorries could only access the store by turning down Darlingscote Road from the Fosse Way. 

Douglas Young from Shipston on Stour, said: "The highways are not sufficient for this application.

"From Watery Lane to the top of Tileman's Lane and along the top of Tileman's Lane, there will be issues with cars in both directions trying to pass parked vehicles. 

"This will attract more vehicles to the Darlingscote Crossroads and without an upgrade to a safer type of junction, this will result in accidents and harm."

Shipston Mayor, Gerry Kelly said: "The councillors that attended the consultations told me that the public seemed quite upbeat.

"Shipston residents can see the pros and cons of the project and they seem relatively happy."