The plans for the retail park have now been withdrawn

The firm wanted to establish an outlet at Cuckoo Bridge which it said would bring 70 new jobs to the town.

The owners of the site were applying to lift a trading restriction which would allow the development to go ahead.

Planning officers had recommended refusal but the application was withdrawn before it could be discussed.

The Nithsdale regulatory committee had been expected to debate the plans until it was dropped by applicants.

No reason was given at the committee meeting for the withdrawal.

The site at Cuckoo Bridge earmarked for the Next store is owned by British Land.

It was seeking the removal of a planning condition which affects all seven units on the retail park.

Adverse precedent

It prevents the sale of what are classed as non-bulky goods, such as clothing and footwear.

British Land bought the site in 2003 and is still attempting to find tenants for three of the units.

Next said its proposed new store would create about 70 jobs.

The company had also pledged to continue to operate its town centre store based in the Loreburne shopping complex.

Council planning officials warned that relaxing trading restrictions at Cuckoo Bridge could hit town centre trade and would set an adverse precedent.