COUNCIL planners are being asked to agree that a pedestrian crossing is not required at Wemyss Bay's new Co-op store.

The mini-supermarket is nearing completion on the site of the old Wemyss Bay Hotel beside the A78 Greenock Road.

A condition of planning consent being granted for the shop was provision of a traffic light crossing for shoppers.

Now an application has been received from Swift Property Management Ltd asking for the condition to be removed.

A statement submitted to the planning department explains: "The previous use on this site was for a public house, hotel and restaurant with no footpath leading to and from the road side entrance. The approved plan has clearly enhanced the safety of all pedestrians as a new footpath has been provided. 

"Our opinion is that the store customer base is likely to be predominantly those who will drive to the store, park, shop and leave by car. This store is not sufficiently specialist to attract significant numbers of pedestrian customers beyond the immediate locality and perhaps ad hoc recreational walkers. 

"The numbers of pedestrian users does not appear to justify the introduction of a...crossing. There is another general store 500 metres to the south and it is unclear how many of the residents of Wemyss Bay will walk to either store." 

The application for non-compliance is pending assessment by officials.