A REPORT into proposals for a food store on the outskirts of Stokesley has expressed concerns about the impact on the town.

The report by independent planning consultants England and Lyle was commissioned by Hambleton District Council to look into the likely impact on Stokesley if a large food shop is built off the A172 Stokesley bypass.

The report is one of the documents expected to be considered by the council's planning committee when making a decision on whether to allow the store to be built.

Developer Terrace Hill has submitted plans to create a 27,770sq ft food store and petrol station, along with new roundabout access at the site. If built it would be sold to a national supermarket operator.

The plans are expected to go before the committee on Thursday, July 24, with councillors making a site visit on Monday, July 21.

The report predicts a 36 per cent reduction in turnover in Stokesley town centre food shops.

It adds: “Our advice is that the proposed development does not comply with local and national planning policy.”

It also goes on to conclude: “One of the benefits that has been claimed for a new food store in Stokesley is that it would reduce the need for residents to travel to carry out main food shopping.

“However, these benefits must be balanced against the negative impact that would likely arise in terms of the effect on the vitality and viability of the town centre and on the role of the town centre as the social heart of the community in Stokesley.

“In our view, the harm that would be caused to the town centre is more significant that the benefits to be gained from sustainability through reducing travel to shop.”

Stewart Brennan, from the Save Our Stokesley group, which is campaigning against the plans, said: “This report totally vindicates everything we have been saying about the threats to Stokesley and Great Ayton by a supermarket at Mill Riggs.

“We are laymen in terms of town planning, but feel passionately about where we live and have a strong feeling this would be a hugely damaging development.”

No one from Terrace Hill was available for comment.