Plans for a budget supermarket in Ivybridge have been delayed until after Christmas due to the general election.

Council chiefs had been due to launch a public consultation on the plans for an Aldi on the Leonards Road car park site.

But officials from South Hams District Council say that now cannot happen, because of the ongoing campaign ahead of the election on December 12.

The supermarket scheme is part of an £11m regeneration package to boost footfall in the town.

It could also include a drive-thru and a restaurant.

A spokesman for SHDC said: “We are really keen to listen to the community’s views, however, we are now in the pre-election period called purdah.

“During this time, which is considered politically sensitive, councils are not allowed to start any consultation which might be considered controversial.

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“Therefore, we have postponed the public consultation until after Christmas”.