HUNDREDS of residents have lined up either for or against a new Aldi food store in Exeter Road.
More than 200 people have written to the city council concerning the planning application for the new store, with 102 for the proposal and 116 against.
Those objecting cite traffic problems and the threat to the small retailers in Topsham as their reasons for objecting to the scheme.
The supporters say they would welcome a store within walking distance selling reasonably priced food.
Devon County Council, as the highways authority, has raised no objection to the scheme, stating that 'in practice, the majority of trips can be expected to divert form other foodstores in the area, including the two other Aldi stores at Pinhoe and Alphington'.
The statement continued: 'As a result, although there will be additional trips on the highway in the vicinity of the proposal, there may be a small reduction felt elsewhere on the network. Therefore, on balance, the additional traffic arising from the development is not a significant cause for concern.'
The plans are for a glass-fronted, single-storey supermarket on the south side of Exeter Road near the M5 bridge.
