County councillors believe certain conditions should be met before Asda can go ahead with its planned store at Newton Abbot.
A report from county's environment director Ed Chorlton considered by the county development control committee on Wednesday stated: 'The county council as strategic planning authority welcomes the proposal to enhance the Newton Abbot Town Centre.'
However, it adds: 'The proposal as currently submitted should not be granted planning permission until certain conditions have been adequately addressed.'
Cllr Graham Wickham told the committee: 'A lot of people currently use the adult learning facility at the library and they simply have to pop across the road and park in the Wolborough Street car park – which is long term.
'The new plans reduce this to short term – that from the angle of many people in Newton Abbot is not a plus point.'
Mike Jones, the county's highways development control manager, conceded that the plan pushed long term parking out of the town centre and new 'peripheral' long-term parking would be sought.
Cllr Wickham claimed that local opinion was that Asda/ASM's apparent move away from the original brief, and the withdrawal of their previous plan, was because they 'changed their minds because they could not agree with the district council on the number of affordable homes for local people'.
As for Asda/ASM's claim that it was the cost of re-siting underground services which had forced the decision to re-site the store, Cllr Wickham mused: 'One wonders why it took them so long to find out?'
'Teignbridge South county councillor Phil Cook bemoaned the 'decline of Newton Abbot as a quality shopping centre' and its loss of individual shops which he told the committee, would worsen.
He said: 'If Asda has a pharmacy it will add to the decline of the town.'
Teignbridge planners will consider the application on February 9.