Lidl’s plans to build a store on a town centre car park in Nailsea have been refused.

The proposal drew scores of objections due to the loss of 28 free car parking spaces in Stock Way North, which are also used by patients visiting Tower House Medical Centre.

North Somerset Council officer David Turner refused the proposal for a store due to inadequate parking provision, poor access to the site, the safety of pedestrians and the loss of trees and insensitive design of the building which would he said would have a ‘detrimental effect’ on the character of the town.

The report states: “The application fails to make adequate provision for parking for the needs of proposed users.

“The proposed development will result in an unsatisfactory means of access and egress for a range of types of vehicle that will need to use the car park, for parking, deliveries and services and is likely to lead to service vehicles having to reverse on and off the highway.

“In addition, the site layout does not cater for the safe movement of pedestrians and will increase conflict between non-motorised users and vehicles within the site.

“The proposed design results in the loss of a number of trees and significant areas of attractive mature landscaping that contribute significantly to this part of the town centre.

“This will have a detrimental effect on the character and appearance of Nailsea town centre, and moreover the development fails to create a sense of place, maintain the quality of landscaping and reflect sensitivity to the existing local character.”

The supermarket giant first applied for permission to build the store in September 2014, with a loss of 101 car parking spaces.

Due to public opposition, the firm revised its plans and submitted a new proposal in December 2014.

The new plans meant losing around 50 spaces, but the firm planned to turn the former Esso filling station into a car park and it offered to pay £400,000 to improve Station Road car park.

Despite the huge opposition to the store, many residents said they would welcome a Lidl store at a different site in the town.

A number of people said they regularly travelled to Lidl stores in Clevedon and Portishead to do their shopping.

Cllr James Tonkin, who represents Nailsea for North Somerset Council, said: “We are relieved we are not going to have the problem with parking.

“We look forward to Lidl looking for somewhere else to go in Nailsea.”