It was therefore considered that an opportunity had arisen to extend the store on one single trading level in order to improve its general appearance and internal layout and increase the range of products offered by the store to allow it to compete with other modern supermarkets and meet the expectations of customers.

The proposals include demolishing the car wash and office buildings, a new access for vehicles from Birmingham Road, and expansion of the car park to 630 spaces—an increase of 95. There will also be additional cycle parking—a total of 47 spaces.

The application is being recommended for approval by planning officials and is due to be heard by Stratford District Council’s west area planning committee at Elizabeth House in Stratford—the council’s headquarters—next Wednesday. The meeting starts at 6.15pm.

Stratford Voice, the environmental pressure group, has objected to the plans because of the effect on town centre trade and congestion on Birmingham Road and Sainsbury’s—one of Tesco’s main competitors which has also had plans to build a supermarket in the town—has also objected.

Another application coming up at the same meeting involves plans to build 45 homes on land north of Bramley Way, Bidford. This proposal also gets the green light from planning officials.