DEVON County Council had a long shopping list of planning conditions and requirements for the proposed Asda store as part of Newton Abbot's Wolborough Street redevelopment, town clerk Rod Tuck told the town council planning committee on Tuesday.

Members heard that in a report from environment director Ed Chorlton two recommendations were going before the county's development control committee on Wednesday:

1) that it should advise Teignbridge Council it welcomed the proposal to enhance the town centre.

But it considered it should not be granted permission until issues affecting strategic policy considerations were adequately addressed.

These included the completion of a proper sequential test assessment on the foodstore side, and that permission should only be granted if this test is satisfied and the proposed enhanced linkages to the existing primary shopping area can be secured.

Before development starts, it also called for an archaeological investigation of the site.

2) The highway authority raises no objection, subject to the agreement of 19 conditions in an appropriate legal agreement.

The chairman, Cllr David Howe, said developer ASM had given notice of a change of road layout at the south western end of Highweek Way. Originally a roundabout, a T-junction is now proposed as suggested by the county highways engineer.

The store's design has also changed following requests by the town council. Gone is the embossed aluminium cladding, which is now dark grey, while brick work becomes smooth red brick.

Members of the planning committee had no objection to the new road layout and found the changes to the building more acceptable, and Mr Tuck said all the committee's and town council's previous comments about the store had been forwarded to the county.

He added that the county was saying that Teignbridge Council and the county council had to get together on the future car parking strategy for Newton Abbot.

The matter was placed on the town council's planning committee agenda following a public meeting about the Wolborough Street development called by the town's chamber of trade.

Traders maintain the extra size of the store is a step too far for the town and believe the proposed car parking provision could not cope.