Controversial plans for a new Asda Express in Offerton have been rejected by Stockport Council. 

Original plans for the site, on the corner of Chippenham Avenue and Marple Road, would have seen the demolition of a car repair and MOT garage to make space for the store. 

It would have seen a small car park added, but all other existing access to the site blocked off. 

The plans saw several complaints from local residents, who raised concerns about congestion, parking, and the effect on local businesses. 

Council planners rejected the application for fears it would have an overwhelmingly negative impact on the local area, which is already well-served by a Lidl, Aldi, and Bakers. 

Planners said the size of the building would make it impossible for service vehicles to reasonably, safely and efficiently access the site without reversing on and off the road – resulting in an "unacceptable impact on highway safety". 

The proposed layout for the Asda Express (Image via SMBC planning portal)

The application had imposed a limit on vehicles more than 10m in length.

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However, as the average length of a delivery vehicle is between 11.2m and 12m, planners said a restriction of this type would not be realistic – especially if suppliers or vehicles change over time. 

They also added that deliveries to the shop – which the application said could only come from the north west of the site – would lead to a dramatic reduction in car parking, leading customers to spill out onto other roads. 

"The predictable and repeated loss of on-site parking spaces a highway safety concern," they said. 

"Regular closure of nearly half the car park could lead to the displacement of parking onto the public highway, obstruction of accesses, and reduced visibility at the site access due to parking taking place on the proposed double yellow lines to the site frontage." 

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