Plans to build a discount food warehouse in Oxford's Blackbird Leys have been dealt a blow.

German food chain Lidl had earmarked the Hartwell Ford car showroom at the corner of Watlington Road and Transport Way for its first Oxfordshire store.

But concerns over an increase in traffic along Watlington Road appear to have sounded the death knell to the supermarket's plans.

Planning officers were opposed to the project, which was unveiled at on August 2 at a meeting of the south east area committee, saying out-of-town retail centres clashed with the Local Plan.

Lidl wants to demolish the car showroom and forecourt to make way for a single-storey warehouse with 100 car parking spaces.

But officers said new retail units should go in city centre locations where possible.

Lidl spokesman Richard Simpson said: "We're trying to offer the highest quality at the lowest prices. We are a very large pan-European company that buys large quantities of a small number of products like fresh vegetables, bread, frozen food and tinned foods.

"Lidl would offer a choice to residents they don't already have, but this doesn't threaten the existing retail patterns - it enhances it."

Lidl claims to have examined 13 other sites in Oxford, but none was suitable.

Committee chairman Gill Sanders said: "I would like a supermarket that is going to offer good value products to people living in Blackbird Leys and Temple Cowley, but it's with deep regret we have to go along with the planning officers' recommendation."

The final decision will be made by the council's strategic development control committee.