Plans to build a Tesco store at the site were rejected

Officials had recommended approval of the plan for the Express shop at Heathhall on the outskirts of town.

Councillors voiced concern at traffic levels, parking provision and road safety issues and rejected the scheme by six votes to two.

The decision came just a day after Tesco reported a 13% rise in full-year underlying profits to �2.55bn.

Nearly 600 objections were lodged to the Dumfries development.

Retail impact

Among the concerns raised were the proposed opening times, the impact on small local retailers and the new store layout.

The proposal would have increased the size of the current shop fourfold.

Agents for Tesco said the fact that there was already a large store in the town was "irrelevant" to the application.

Councillors remained unhappy with the plans - particularly over traffic concerns - and voted against the scheme.