Campaigners are celebrating after a planned extension to a supermarket was thrown out by planning councillors.
Retail giant Tesco wanted to extend its Ystrad Mynach store with more shop floor space, a café, staff restaurant and a two-storey glass atrium linking the building with the car park.
The company also wanted to up car parking spaces from 486 to 584 and boost its warehouse.
Despite being recommended for approval by planning officers, councillors threw the plans out after local opposition.
Gerard Lewis owns blinds shop Ashburne in the centre of Ystrad Mynach.
He said: “The expansion of the store would undoubtedly mean the end of the town centre. Over the past decade many shops have closed and this must be linked to Tesco in the town.”
Councillor Martyn James, who represents Ystrad Mynach on Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “We are happy at the decision and hope if the plan goes to the planning inspector for Wales that they see sense and do not pass it.
“I hope they consider the adverse affect that the expansion would have on the town centre traders.”
A spokesman for Tesco said: “We are disappointed at that decision to refuse the plan. We will be considering our options and continue to talk to the community.”
