SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's has lodged revised plans for a superstore on the site of a Southampton bus depot.

The rejigged proposals for Portswood feature an underground car park after a previous £30m scheme was thrown out after a public inquiry.

Sainsbury's claim members of the public are "overwhelmingly" supportive of the latest plans with positive feedback from an exhibition and local newsletters.

A planning inspector ruled against previous proposals after finding the layout of affordable housing and a superstore car park made the development unacceptable.

Now Sainsbury's has reduced the number of parking spaces from 400 to 325 and said they will be open to everyone.

The plans also include a 40,000 sq ft food store, a medical centre and about 140 new homes, including 22 town houses. The rest will be flats.

Richard Haynes, regional development executive, said: "Our new application deals with the issues raised by the planning inspector as well as retaining the most popular aspects of the previous schemes.

"Sainsbury's is looking forward to coming to Portswood and hopes to continue its strong relationship with the local community."

Peter Wirgman, Southamp-ton Federation of Residents' Associations, who lives in Portswood, said he would be objecting again.

He said: "The main objection is the floor space. It's the same as the one that was rejected. They've not altered that."

Mr Wirgman said he was also still concerned about the stores' impact on other businesses in the area and pointed out the site had not been earmarked for prime retail use in the current Local Plan, a formal citywide planning document. He said more family homes not flats were needed.

Sainsbury's originally brought forward its plans for the bus depot in 2004.

If given planning permission by councillors in the next few months, it says its superstore could be open by summer 2010.

First Group plans to build a new bus depot in Empress Road, Southampton, to provide more modern working facilities for its staff.