A DECISION on proposals for another major supermarket in Christchurch has been postponed by the council.

Plans for Morrisons on the site of Beagle Technology were due to go before Christchurch council’s planning committee on Thursday.

But just two days before the meeting, the item was pulled and deferred until a meeting in the New Year – believed to be in January.

The plans will be heard at the same meeting as revised proposals for a supermarket at Meteor Retail Park in Somerford.

Morrisons’ scheme for a supermarket at Beagle has been rejected twice by the planning committee. The current application has been revised with changes including reducing the height of the building and its location on the site.

The revised scheme for the food store at Meteor Retail Park is to increase the size of the store by removing two non-food outlets.

Chris Newsome, development director at Simons Developments for Morrisons, said: “We are clearly disappointed that the Morrisons application will not be heard by the planning committee on December 5, but we fully understand that the proper process has to be followed.

“However, we are confident that Morrisons has the clear support of the vast majority of the residents of Christchurch and could bring over £7.5 million of tangible benefits to the town in the form of trade returned to the High Street, a town centre improvement fund and implementing highway improvements to the A35.”

Giles Moir, development management manager at Christchurch Borough Council, said: “A decision on the planning application for a supermarket on the Beagle site has been deferred until early in the New Year. This is because the planning control committee would need to look at the potential impact on the town centre from this application, together with others being considered by the council at the same time.”

Work could start soon TWO supermarkets have been given outline permission by Christchurch Borough Council.

One at Bailey Drive, off Barrack Road – recently revealed as Asda – and another at Meteor Retail Park in Somerford were approved at committee last year.

The Morrisons application is a detailed scheme, meaning if approved, work could start almost immediately.

It has been rejected twice by Christchurch council previously. It is to be discussed early next year.