A joint planning application submitted on behalf of Scotmid proposed the demolition of the existing retail store at 236 Gorgie Road to be replaced with a modern supermarket below a new block of student accommodation.

Initially refused by councillors towards the end of last year, the plans were expected to be determined by the City of Edinburgh Council’s development management sub-committee this week. 131 objections were received by local residents ahead of the decision.

But in a letter to planners just days before the scheduled assessment, the applicant gave notice to withdraw the planning application “with immediate effect” and asked for the proposals to be removed from the agenda.

Reports in the Edinburgh Evening News suggested that Scotmid had sought to influence the planning process, after it emerged that half of the registered comments in support of the scheme were identified as coming from Scotmid staff.

Independent local councillor Ashley Graczyk said: “I have had a constant stream of emails from constituents in recent months strongly objecting to this proposal due to the very negative impact it would have on their family homes. They have also felt inadequately represented at a local level throughout this process. I am pleased that the voice of local people in Gorgie-Dalry has now been heard loud and clear.”

A spokeswoman from Structured House Limited, which had tabled the plans in partnership with Scotmid, said: “It has been withdrawn. We are reassessing aspects of the plans ­following feedback.”