Planners have been urged to give a new retail development in Burntwood the green light.
Proposals have been drawn up for a series of units on the former Olaf Johnson site in the town.
A number of letters supporting the application have been written by local residents, although some have raised concerns over the type of retail businesses the development might attract.
B&M and Iceland are already believed to have agreed to move onto the site if it is built.
There were worries that the new retail centre would draw attention away from Sankey’s Corner, turning the area into “a ghost town”.
But a report to a meeting of Lichfield District Council insists the scheme – which would include three ‘pod’ units, up to nine retail units and a drive-thru facility – should be given the go-ahead.
“Economically, there is a clear need for the provision of new retail facilities within Burntwood,” the report says. “The current scheme is of a scale that will allow Burntwood to expand while not having a significant detrimental impact on existing retailers at Sankey’s Corner.
“Burntwood has a significant population that is expanding and basic needs should be met, as far as possible, within Burntwood rather than having to visit neighbouring centres.”
