DISCOUNT retail chain Lidl has been given the go-ahead for a new Bodmin store without the plans being discussed by Cornwall councillors.

The news has concerned members of Bodmin Town Council who were unaware of the decision made under delegated powers by a planning officer until contacted yesterday by the Cornish Guardian.

Cornwall councillor Lance Kennedy, who represents the ward in which the retail store will be built, was also in the dark about the planning consent.

Linda Spear, chairman of the town council's properties committee, said it was "worrying'' that such a major application affecting Bodmin had gone through without discussion at a Cornwall Council planning committee.

Lidl has now moved in to demolish the former police station on Priory Road to make way for the supermarket which the company hopes will be open by next Christmas.

The retailer said it was expected up to 30 full and part-time jobs would be created.

Cllr Spear said it was a surprise to her to learn that the store had already been given the green light.

Access problems

Her council was particularly concerned over possible access problems at the junction to Priory Road.

"This is news to me. Some time ago Lidl made a presentation to the town council and we gave them a few things to think about, but I certainly didn't know that everything has now been done and dusted and they've been given approval.

"It's extremely worrying to learn that such a major application has been granted planning approval without it going to a formal planning committee to be discussed,'' she said.

It emerged this week that Lidl was given planning consent in September, but the town's business community were also unaware of it.

Surprise

Bodmin Chamber of Commerce chairman, Chris Wilkes, said although his members were broadly in favour of the new store opening, he didn't know the plans had been approved.

"It does surprise me, because I was aware there were a few niggly problems that were yet to be sorted out with the application – certainly no one has been in touch with the chamber to say approval had been given,'' said Mr Wilkes.

Cllr Kennedy said yesterday: "No, I didn't know the planning decision had been made. I was still waiting for the application to come through.

"I had concerns, like a number of people, about the potentially dangerous access junction, and it will be something that now has to be monitored.''

A spokeswoman from Cornwall Council confirmed the decision to allow the store was delegated to a planning officer.

" The delegated scheme does not require all major applications to be determined by the planning committee.

"The town council supported the scheme and there is also reference in the notes to support for the scheme from the chamber of commerce,'' she said.