Waitrose has objected to a rival's plans for a new supermarket in a west Suffolk town.
West Suffolk Council has submitted proposals to transform the former household waste recycling site in Rougham Hill, Bury St Edmunds.
An Aldi supermarket and Wendy's are earmarked for the development, but Waitrose, which has a store in the town's Robert Boby Way, says there is "scope for the proposed development to draw significant trade" from town centre food stores.
Waitrose argues it "plays a significant role in supporting the wider vitality and viability of the town centre".
In a letter sent to West Suffolk Council, First Plan, on behalf of the supermarket chain, said: "The Waitrose store clearly performs an anchor role to the wider town centre offer, and therefore impacts arising against it, plus associated matters such as loss of footfall and linked trips spending, represent valid planning considerations."
If approved, the supermarket would have a gross internal area of 1,919 sqm and a net sales area of 1,300 sqm.
The supermarket is requesting that further studies on the effect the proposed store will have on the town centre are carried out.
A sequential test assessment identified the former Wilko, in Risbygate Street, and the basement unit within the Primark complex in arc Shopping Centre as two possible alternative sites.
However, both did not meet the criteria for selection.
A planning statement submitted as part of the application read: "Both proposed buildings would be set along the western border of the ‘development site’, with the supermarket located to the north and the drive-thru restaurant at the south corner of the site."
Plans show the site will be accessed from Rougham Hill if given the green light.
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