A TOWN council has rejected plans for a supermarket – but it could still be approved.

Tenbury Town Council has decided to reject plans for a Tesco store that would be built on the site of the old Tenbury Wells cattle market.

Councillor Margaret Austin said: “We had another meeting about the proposals where four voted for the store, four voted against and the chairman had the casting vote – which went against the store.

“There are still a lot of issues that need to be sorted out but we don’t have the final say.”

Planning officers have also recommended the plans be rejected when Malvern Hills District Council’s northern area planning committee make the final decision.

Sophie Akokhia, Tesco's corporate affairs manager, said: “We are very surprised and disappointed, not least because considerable effort has been made to develop a bespoke design in line with feedback from officers, local councillors, community groups and residents.

The district council will hold a public meeting on Monday at Tenbury High School, to discuss the plans.

Phil Grove, leader of Malvern Hills District Council and ward member for Tenbury, said: “It is important to note that no formal decision on Tesco has been made.

"By bringing the decision over Tesco proposals into the heart of the community I hope it will encourage people to come along and see for themselves.”