THE owner of a vacant former supermarket in Pill has claimed Newport City Council is not doing enough to support businesses after planning bosses said plans to redevelop the site should be thrown out.

Chief executive of Eurofoods Group, which is based in the Reevesland Industrial Estate, Shelim Hussain has lodged an application to convert the former Kwik Save in Commercial Road, which has lain vacant since the supermarket chain went into administration in 2007, into two new shops and five one-bedroom flats.

But the council’s planning department has recommended the application, which also includes a new three-story block containing six more one-bedroom flats and four two-bedroom flats, should be refused for a range of reasons including the size of the apartments and lack of natural light, as well as the noise from nearby businesses.

Mr Hussain slammed the council for their approach to his plans, saying: “A lot of people in the city, including councillors, have asked me to see if I can redevelop the site again.”

He said the council’s approach to his and other applications was holding back the regeneration of the city, saying if the plans were refused he would leave the site as a vacant eyesore.

“I also have a business in Torfaen and the council there are lovely, they will go out of their way to help you,” he said.

“Newport will go out of their way to block everything you want.

“We are between Cardiff and Bristol, which are thriving while we can’t because of policy.”

The council’s head of regeneration, investment and housing Beverly Owen said: “The council works very closely with the private and third sector in the city on high quality regeneration projects.

“The results are clear to see with new life being breathed into many key and formerly derelict buildings, including some in the Pill area.

“This scheme will be determined by the planning committee in accordance with due process.”

The application will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, July 6.

To view the full plans visit newport.gov.uk and search for application 16/0042.