THE future of controversial plans for a new Lidl store in Shirley have been left up in the air – with civic chiefs set to throw out the proposals.

City planning bosses have recommended the plans, for a new supermarket in Shirley High Street, are rejected by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday.

Planning chiefs say the proposals should be turned down over the lack of a financial deal between Lidl and the council – known as a section 106 agreement.

They’ve also raised fears the new store will cause “harm” to the lives of neighbouring residents, describing the design as “oppressive and overbearing”.

If councillors do reject the plans, it will be the second time the German retailer has suffered a set back over proposals for the site – previously home to Shirley Police Station.

The supermarket giant withdrew its original plans, submitted back in August last year, after residents rallied against the proposals.

One of the major concerns was the loss of a Yew tree, which Lidl proposed to chop down as part of plans for the new supermarket.

But after a campaign, led by Millbrook resident Steve Galton, Lidl decided to amend the plans – and save the Yew tree.

Lidl’s regional head, James Mitchell, said the updated plans had also been designed to “reduce the impact” on the surrounding highway network.

A spokesperson for Lidl was unavailable to comment on the latest setback for the plans – which would result in the closure of the current store on Shirley High Street.

It is expected that the move would have created up to 20 new jobs.

The news comes as Lidl announced plans to build a new store on land off The Avenue.

The German retailer plans to demolish a car showroom on Banister Road.

The current occupiers, Inchcape Land Rover Jaguar, are set to move to the former Ford site in Swaythling.

Plans for the 2,125sqm store, with 130 parking spaces, were put on display at a public consultation this week.