MarkFisher MP

Plans to build a supermarket on stilts have been approved by council planners in principle.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's development control committee voted five votes to four in support of a new Tesco superstore in Trent Vale.

Tesco wants to replace the existing store by building a store on stilts, with increased parking underneath below.

Councillors were minded to accept the scheme, despite it being counter to policy on out-of-town development, as a 27-year-old Tesco store already exists at the site.

They also noted the replacement store adjacent to the A34 will create 180 new jobs.

But some members were concerned over the impact it will have on the surrounding environment and the local road networks.

For those reasons, the matter will go back before the committee for further period of scrutiny.

At yesterday's meeting planning official Nick Thomas explained why officers recommended the scheme be refused.

This included the site's out-of-town location, the potential for local retail centres being undermined and concerns over the burden a store 76 per cent larger with more than more than 200 extra parking spaces would create on nearby roads.

Resident Terry Dean, from adjacent Leaside Road, also expressed concern over access and amenity issues.

But Tesco representative Tony Fletcher said removing the existing petrol station would reduce some visits, while the greater size and range of a new store was intended to benefit regular customers, rather than draw in large numbers of new ones.

He said Tesco predict that nine per cent more customers would use the store and a two per cent increase in traffic on the A34 and added that building on an alternative site was likely to be unviable.

He added: "We believe this scheme represents a significant investment opportunity, not just financially, but also in terms of jobs for Trent Vale."

Barry Stockley spoke in support of the scheme on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Mark Fisher, while councillors Alan Joynson and Gavin Webb also backed it.

But committee councillors including Brian Ward and Peter Kent-Bagguley opposed the plans outright amid fears neighbouring town centres may suffer.

Councillor Ward said: "We have a fragmented area already, with six towns, seven if you count Newcastle, and out-of-town development will fragment it more."