PLANS for a new major retailer to come into Shirley moved a step forward, after city council officials gave the company the green-light to build a new premises.

Marks & Spencers' bid to create its first Foodhall in an empty retail unit in Shirley Retail Park, which was previously home to Currys PC World, was approved despite fears it could spark traffic chaos on nearby Winchester Road.

The firm believes the new store, which will include an M&S-run cafe, will create up to 55 jobs.

Civic chiefs had already green lit proposals to extend opening hours on site for an M&S store – the city's third before accepting the store's plan on Monday, July 9.

In approving the plan, Southampton City Council said: "Material considerations including appearance and noise have been considered and are not judged to have sufficient weight to justify a refusal of the application."

At the new site, cycling parking, a shop front, trolley backs and plant equipment will be installed to spruce up the development.

When it was first announced, council officers feared the store could create an increase of traffic close to it.

Council officers said the retail area's free parking is abused by hospital visitors and staff, attempting to dodge costly charges.

M&S say an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system - limiting the amount of time customers can park on the 110 space site - could solve the issue.

But that did not quell the fears of transport bosses, who warned that the proposal will “harm highway flows” and “put risk on highway safety”.

City council highways development manager, Vanessa White, told the retail giant in an email that it had underestimated the number of cars that could use the site.

She said a food hall would only "exacerbate the issue."

The objection delayed the plans by Marks & Spencer to create its first "standalone" food hall in Southampton.

Currently the retail giant operates a store at Westquay, selling clothes, homewares and food, as well as a franchised Simply Food store at Southampton General Hospital.

It also has an out-of-city store at Hedge End.

However, the nearest standalone food store is in Eastleigh – which opened in August this year.

Now, the retail giants will create a 730sqm sale area in the Shirley store, the majority of which would be used for convenience goods sales.

One person to show support the application was Shirley councillor, Satvir Kaur.

She said: “Obviously I’m very supportive of an empty store becoming a vibrant part of the community and I think it will do really well here.

“I’m really supportive of bringing jobs to the area.”

However the Labour councillor said Shirley did have a problem with hospital users parking in the area.

She added: “As councillors we are working with the hospital to make improvements.”

An M&S spokesperson said: "We’re looking forward to bringing a new Marks & Spencer Foodhall to Shirley.

"We will update the community as plans for the store progress."