CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn an abandoned pub into a supermarket have been earmarked for approval by planning chiefs.

Neighbours have slammed Tesco's plans to turn the former Maiden Over pub in Earley into an express store.

Community group Maiden Erlegh Residents Association met to discuss the plans and sent a letter to Wokingham Borough Council, voicing concerns about congestion and the impact on near-by shops.

But the council's officers have recommended the plans are approved by its committee members when they meet to discuss the proposals in January.

In the letter sent to the borough's planning chiefs by MERA, a spokesman said: "We recognise this development is now most likely to proceed and we are therefore concentrating our representations on the likely impact of this application.

"Residents are concerned that the opening of Tesco will lead to shops in The Parade closing down.

"Parking in the Silverdale Road, Radnor Road and Sevenoaks Road is a particular problem and the council is asked to review the current arrangements.

"The council is asked to consider the impact of traffic on this area when the car park is full and drivers wait for spaces and the entrance of the car park."

Resident Jean Hackett also wrote to planning officers during the consultation period, expressing her concerns for school pupils from Maiden Erlegh and Aldryngton schools, which sit just behind the Maiden Over site.

Mrs Hackett said: "It is likely that the car park will be used as a shortcut to and from Sevenoaks Road, particularly by older school children and possibly school teachers who have not been able to park on the school site.

"This could provide an added hazard to cars and delivery vehicles in the car park."

The planning application was listed to appear before the committee by Councillor Ken Miall, who expressed concerns about delivery times and management, highway safety and opening hours.

If the plans are conditionally approved on January 6, Tesco will need to abide by a series of conditions.

They include not working on the building during the school run hours and providing all 22 car parking spaces as the plans promise.

Tesco has also vowed in its delivery proposals that there will be no large deliveries outside the hours of 9.30am to 2pm and 4pm to 9pm Monday to Saturday and Bank Holidays.

In the recommendation letter, a spokesman for Wokingham Borough Council said: "The principle of development is considered acceptable; additionally the change of use can occur without the requirement of planning permission under Permitted Development rights. Planning permission has been granted for associated works including signage, lighting, introduction of plant equipment, an ATM and alterations to the front of the building."