Scarborough Council's planning chief has recommended planning permission should be granted and councillors are set to decide whether to give the development the go-ahead at a planning and development committee meeting on Thursday.

In a report by the council's head of planning, Gordon Somerville, it says the level of impact of the store would be such, that the "vitality and viability" of Whitby town centre will not be harmed.

It says Homebase will improve the appearance of the former SB Woodworking factory site in Stainsacre Lane, which occupies a prominent road frontage position on the approach into town from Scarborough.

One condition of approval is Homebase should contribute £25,000 towards the costs of improvements to the Prospect Hill/Helredale Road, Waterstead Lane junction and for the extension of the 30mph speed limit on the A171 at Stainsacre Lane.

The application, submitted by Stirling Scotfield LLP on behalf of Homebase, is for a retail warehouse unit with a garden centre with a floorspace of 3,983 square metres of which the garden centre will occupy 584 square metres.

One objection to the plans has been submitted to the council from Victoria Farm Garden Centre owner Mark Noble and seven of his concerns are hightlighted in the report.

Mr Noble says Homebase will have a very detrimental impact on his family business as well as many others in the Whitby area.

Scarborough Council also answers Mr Noble's concerns over a retail survey on people's shopping habits – it says the study is up-to-date and was done recently by the council as part of a borough-wide retail study.

The council also says restrictions placed on Mr Noble's retail sales to plants, shrubs and horticultural supplies was not to safeguard other DIY businesses in town but to comply with the Local Plan Policy for retail development in the countryside.

In the report, W Eves and Co in Fairfield Way also queries vehicle access to deal with the volume of traffic that will be generated by the new store.

The report concludes permission be granted subject to the development being mainly used for the sale of home improvement and garden-related products along with floor coverings, furniture, soft furnishings, electrical appliances and other ancillary items and for no other purposes.

Councillors will meet on Thursday to decide the store's fate.