Plans to build a new Lidl in Irvine could be in doubt after a meeting heard council officials don't want it at the proposed site near Stanecastle roundabout.
It is understood officers would prefer it to be erected at Montgomerie Park in the town.
The decision to grant planning permission for the supermarket giant currently lies in the hands of North Ayrshire council officials.
Today, Wednesday, January 22, three councillors tried to change that and get politicians sitting on the planning committee to decide on the application instead.
Irvine councillor John Easdale told this afternoon's planning committee it is understood a senior officer would object to the store being at Crompton Way, North Newmoor in the town beside the Stanecastle roundabout.
He said the official would be agreeable if the store was built in Montgomerie Park instead.
But the meeting heard Lidl staff did not think Montgomerie Park suitable.
Councillors Easdale, Marie Burns and Donald L Reid submitted a call-in to the committee requesting that the application should go in front of it.
Their reasons for the call-in included how Lidl would create 40 jobs, no other sites are suitable and there is strong community support and demand for the store.
Councillor Easdale said his "main gripe" is councillors were not informed about the Lidl situation or were told about any call-in deadline.
Councillor Robert Foster said it is not a "valid call-in" and lodged a motion that the decision on Lidl should stay with officers and not the committee.
It is now up to North Ayrshire Council planning staff to approve or reject the Lidl proposal.
