First they said yes.

Then after an application to High Court by the Co-op, a permission granted to Aldi to build a new supermarket on the northern edge of Highworth was withdrawn.

Now planners in Euclid Street are suggesting to Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee members they refuse Aldi’s returned application for the same site..

The report to the committee, which will consider and vote upon the new application at its meeting next week, says the store should not be approved because of the "significant adverse impact on the viability and vitality of Highworth Town Centre."

It adds that the development would lead to the loss of employment land just to the north west of the roundabout on the Lechlade Road which leads to the Blackworth industrial estate "without adequate justification to mitigate " that impact on the town centre.

The report does say there is a justification for allowing the application because it would bring jobs to the area and deliver "access and infrastructure need to unlock development of the site for employment uses."

The suggestion that councillors turn down the new application may disappoint a number of residents in the town who would welcome a new supermarket.

Planners received nearly 300 cards, admittedly supplied by Aldi, from 290 residents supporting the development, and there were letters from more than a dozen residents saying that increased competition in the town would be good for customers, and would give people extra choice, and would also relieve traffic pressure on the town centre.

Some said that a new supermarket would also lead Co-op, which runs the only major food store in the town to improve its performance.

There were a number of letters of objection from residents concerned about the impact on Pentylands Lane, a very narrow road, and damage to the economy of the town centre.

It was an objection by bosses at Co-operative Food which led to the initial approval of the application, given in June last year to be overturned.

The company said the proposed development was not sustainable as access was only by car, whereas a study showed more than 35 per cent of shoppers in the town centre, where the Co-op store is sited, had walked there.

When the company took action at the High Court saying the council had acted illegally in granting permission, the local authority declined to defend the action owing to the potential length and cost of the case with no certainty of victory and it consented to the permission being quashed.

The council says its planning policy on employment land has changed, and the land should be used for industrial use not retail.

The committee will meet at 6pm in the council chamber at Euclid Street on Tuesday January 8.

Members of the public are entitled to attend the meeting