A decision on a planning application to build an Aldi supermarket in Biddulph looks set to be made in a week's time, with the application being on the agenda for a district council meeting next week.

A meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's Planning Committee will take place at 2pm on Thursday, 14th January, with a decision on the Aldi plans being the first application on the agenda.

And things are looking positive for Aldi ahead of the meeting, with the district council's planning officers recommending that councillors vote to approve the application.

The officers' recommendation reads: "Recommendation: That planning permission be granted subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Agreement/Unilateral Undertaking to secure the financial contribution of £7000 for monitoring by Staffordshire County Council of the Travel plan and a contribution towards provision and management by the Council of compensatory habitats off site."

The recommendation also comes with a list of 25 conditions that Aldi would need to abide by if the plans are approved as recommended. These relate to matters such as the size of the building, the timescale that it is built in, delivery times, noise, lighting and air quality.

Biddulph Nub News reported previously how the application had been subject to several delays, with the district council reportedly still being in negotiations with Aldi over the details of the plans during this time.

Biddulph Town Council also recommended the application for approval subject to conditions, with town councillors hoping for the provision of a bus route into the site.

The district council's officers' report also discussed the bus route, stating: "Members will note that the Town Council are keen for provision to be made for the No 93 bus (which the Town Council fund) to access the site and this has been the subject of much discussion between Officers, the LHA, the Town Council and the applicant.

"A possible one way route has been discussed which leads into the main site and then veers off to the right along the private road to the playing fields where it would stop and then then connect with the Meadows Way roundabout. The latter part of the route is outside the application site but on land owned by Staffordshire County Council.

"Aldi has confirmed in writing that they are happy to do what they can to facilitate the bus access including putting up signage and allowing access over their land.

"However, as the full route is not entirely on their land, as part belongs to SCC as noted above and it is complicated by the right of way in favour of James Bateman Academy, they are understandably unwilling to take an active role in its provision. Having said this all parties fully acknowledge the benefit of the local bus stopping at the site."

The report explains that a condition has been recommended to allow for bus access, and the town council and bus companies would then have to enter discussions with Staffordshire County Council and Aldi over the details of the buses' provision.

James Bateman Middle School had also objected to the plans, and the report goes into further detail about Aldi's negotiations with the council relating to the school.

It states: "The applicant has a legal requirement to provide both vehicular and pedestrian access through the site to the playing fields owned by the James Bateman Academy.

"The Academy initially objected to the application on grounds that the proposed pedestrian route along Tunstall Road and through the new pocket park was too long and unsafe (safeguarding issues).

"They also referred to the need for access to the fields for low loaders bringing cutting and lining machinery, fairground and any other necessary vehicles to maintain the diverse curriculum."

It adds: "The footway has been extended on the southern side of the new access leading from the St Johns Road roundabout so that it now connects fully into the site. This has addressed the issue raised by the school. The route that the school would like pupils to take when walking to the playing fields is now accommodated in the layout."

The application to build the store was submitted back in June, with the proposed supermarket being located at the site of the former Meadows Special School off Tunstall Road.

To view the agenda of next week's meeting, visit Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's website here.