AN AMENDED planning application for an out of town supermarket has been passed by Bovey Tracey Town Council.

The original application submitted by Lidl to build a store on the A382 Monks Way was considered in November 2021. It was eventually withdrawn following a huge number of objections.

The revised version, now going through the planning process,  addresses concerns raised over access, light pollution and general appearance.

The new application, however, wasn’t without its critics. Les Calder, speaking on behalf of Bovey Tracey Residents’ Association, asked the council to give it due consideration and not simply pass it summarily.

He reminded councillors the town centre had lost several shops, most recently Arnolds hardware store. He said the town boasted a butchers, bakers and greengrocers as well as a post office. Their future, he believed, would be threatened by the new store.

Corin Burton accepted the cheap prices would help those on a lower wage, but feared the long build time would mean the cost of living crisis would have passed.

Supporters for the new store said it would provide lower prices and be a boon for those struggling to make ends meet. Its location would also reduce the town’s carbon footprint – it was revealed that some 72 per cent of Bovey’s supermarket spending was done in Newton Abbot.

The town is already due to receive some £62k from CIL funding, but any further contributions would be welcome. Despite being advised the time was passed to pin the store down to future commitments, the council has decided to explore the possibility of getting extra funding from Lidl to help town projects – among which were traffic calming measures which would encourage footfall in the town centre.

Approaches will now be made to the retailer to see if discussions can still take place.

The application was passed with one abstention.