PLANS to build a new Sainsbury’s superstore in Bishop’s Waltham have been delayed by up to three months after a public inquiry was announced.
The inquiry is to be held into Sainsbury’s proposal to close Station Road, Bishop’s Waltham to motorised through traffic.
It is necessary as a result of a single objection from a local resident but it will not discuss the planning merits of the case.
The inquiry will be limited to deciding whether to issue a Stopping Up Order, which would result in all motorised traffic using the Old Station roundabout to get to the new store.
The decision, which will be made by a government-appointed inspector, may take up to three months.
Construction work on the site cannot start until the Stopping Up Order has been issued.
Max Whitehand, Sainsbury’s regional development executive, said: ‘Whilst it is frustrating that our plans are being delayed, we are doing all we can to resolve this issue.
‘We remain fully committed to providing a new foodstore in Bishop’s Waltham and look forward to beginning work on the construction of our new store at the earliest opportunity.’