11:03am Monday 19th July 2010
By Chris Yandell
CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend a Hampshire supermarket by almost a third have been given the go-ahead.
Councillors went against the advice of planning officers and approved a multi-million pound plan to transform the Asda store in Maynard Road, Totton.
Asda intends to increase the sales area by 30 per cent, provide an extra layer of parking and create up to 30 jobs.
Officials recommended the district council’s planning committee to reject the proposal, saying the design of the 1,358 sq m extension was not good enough for an important town centre site.
The committee chairman, Councillor Alison Hoare, echoed their concerns.
“Totton has suffered from some terrible designs over the years. It’s important that this scheme is right for the town and rectifies design crimes of the past,” she said.
But Councillor Maureen Holding, Cabinet member for employment, said design was subjective and stressed that the extension would create more jobs. Planning officers confirmed that the authority had received 13 letters of objection from people who feared the new-look store would harm other shops.
But Councillor Anna Rostand said the committee should support companies that were willing to invest in the area in the current economic climate.
She added: “Let’s make Totton a nicer, jollier place, which will benefit every shop in the town.”
The application was eventually approved by 11 votes to six.
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