Plans to discuss a new supermarket in Wymondham have been deferred.

South Norfolk Councillors were due to assess proposals for foodstores on two edge of town centre sites in the market town at a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).

Councillor Derek Blake, vice chairman of the South Norfolk Council Development Management Committee, said: 'We have received significant new information from one of the applicants as well as further comments and representations regarding the store applications themselves. Councillors on the Committee who will be making this key decision, as well as local people who will be affected by this decision, must have a chance to properly assess this new information. We want to get it right for the people of Wymondham.

'To allow them time to do that, we are deferring these two applications only to a special meeting of the Development Management Committee on Tuesday, November 20. The Committee will meet as normal tomorrow Wednesday, November 7 at 1pm, to consider the rest of the agenda.'

The results of a retail survey commissioned by the district council revealed that while Wymondham town centre could sustain the presence of one new supermarket in the town, two new stores would pose an 'unacceptable' impact on High Street traders.

An application by the Retail Development Partnership for a 3,720sqm convenience goods store - believed to be a Sainsbury's - at the Semmence Coaches site off Postmill Close and Norwich Road had been recommended for approval at tomorrow's meeting by planning officers, despite some highways concerns.

However, proposals by Bride Hall Developments for a foodstore at the former sale ground site in Station Approach, Wymondham, will be determined by a planning inspector at a future public inquiry after the developer lodged an appeal after the local authority failed to determine the scheme, which was submitted last November.

Caroline Marginson, associate of GVA, which carried out the retail study for the council, said sites off Norwich Road and Ayton Road were more favourable for a new store than the Station Approach one.

The supermarket plans off Postmill Close, which would include 200 car parking spaces, received a petition signed by 57 residents on Norwich Road objecting to the extra traffic and safety concerns.

However, the applicant has included an additional access route linking Postmill Close with Harts Farm Road, which is has the backing of Norfolk County Council highways officials.

Supermarket rival Bride Hall Developments and the Co-Operative Group, which has a town centre store, have also objected.

Plans for a third supermarket by Asda on Kings Head Meadow were dropped earlier this year.