WEST Devon planners will make their decision next week on whether or not to approve a Tesco supermarket in Okehampton.

The retail giant officially submitted their plans for a store on the Thompsons site on April 3, and the council's planning and licensing committee will make a decision on the proposals on Tuesday, July 6.

The proposed store would have a sales area of 3,242 square metres, but the store would have no petrol station, pharmacy, post office or in-store customer café.

One hundred and eight full and part-time jobs would be created, though some of those jobs would be taken up by staff brought in from outside Okehampton. No breakdown has been given with regards to a full time to part time job ratio.

The case officer inspecting the case has recommended for refusal of the application. In the report, the case officer said: 'Officers consider that the proposal, as submitted, would result in significant adverse impacts upon the vitality and viability of the town centre.'

The comments echo the words of Cllr Tony Leech, who requested that the Tesco application be brought in front of the committee.

He said: 'It is contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework for large edge and out of town developments, as it could easily affect the economic vitality and prosperity of the town at this time.

'It goes against the past Towns Plans and the present Core Strategy, as the land in question is for non-food retail and light industrial employment land only, plus the fact that the Core Strategy highlights the existing traffic issues at this end of the town.'

To find out more about the application, visit the West Devon Borough Council planning website, quoting application number 00292/2013.