A CONTROVERSIAL plan to convert a Caerleon pub into a convenience store on a village street corner is intended to house Sainsbury’s.

That’s according to Newport council planning officials who recommend the Angel Hotel scheme be approved with conditions by the city’s planning committee when it meets on Wednesday.

Hillvale Properties’ proposals have promptedmore than 1,700 people to sign petitions against it, while 127 neighbours have written letters of objection.

According to a report to committee the plans propose a single storey extension to the building to “meet the operational needs of a named end user, i.e. Sainsbury’s”.

Neighbours told the council the bid to turn the pub, located on Goldcroft Common, Caerleon, into a 385 square metre retailer with two flats on the first floor would “exacerbate an already dangerous and difficult traffic situation,” the report said.

Concerns were raised that local shops – several independent retailers including a sandwich shop and a Spar are nearby – would close, while the petition said the historical character and sense of community in Caerleon would be tarnished.

Planners were also told of worries over anti-social behaviour, noise to residents, and parking which it is claimed is already at saturation point in the area.

Sitting Caerleon councillors Gail Giles also formally objected.

But planners wrote a new store opening would “enhance” the Caerleon district centre, adding to its “retail floorspace”, and the store is unlikely to harm the centre’s viability.

The report said that the Spar and Pipers News shops may lose trade, but “it is not the role of the planning system to restrict competition”.

Officers wrote that traffic concerns were “understandable”, but adds “there is no robust evidence” that the proposal will result in “a significant and harmful increase in traffic.”

Spaces at the site for seven customer cars during deliveries would meet parking requirements, while Gwent Police had raised no objection to the proposal.

However planners called for conditions imposing restricted delivery hours.

One letter of support was received.