The latest position is that a few tweaks were required on the residential element but those are now resolved and the next step will be the public meeting. The large number of objections that suddenly appeared were causing Mr. Whitington some concerns as regards a venue even though it is highly unlikely that these folk are actually concerned enough to want to go out in the evening to voice their misgivings. I believe he is now intending to convene a meeting with invited representatives of the parties involved but the fact that such a meeting is being arranged is normally a sign that the Council are in support of the application. They would not need to get public support for a negative decision, they would simply issue a refusal.
Having said all that it will still need to go before a Committee of local councillors who will consider the issues so any written support to the email address above is still extremely important, even at this late stage.
Let's get this done and we could have a Sainsbury's by Christmas!