THE next phase of Southampton ’s largest housing development is set to be given the green light today – including a supermarket bringing 225 jobs.

Councillors will be asked to approve plans for 329 flats, a 60,000 sq ft food store and other shops, bars and restaurants around a civic square at the development going up on the former Vosper Thornycroft site in Woolston .

The developer, Crest Nicholson, said it would provide a “vibrant commercial hub” for the £500m, 31-acre development, Centenary Quay.

The proposed food store will create 225 part and full-time jobs, of which three-quarters are likely to be recruited locally. Around half the jobs are set to go to under-25s.

The name of the proposed operator has yet to be announced, but it is thought that Morrisons has been lined up to move on to the site.

The grocer also has plans for a supermarket development at East Street in the city centre.

Some residents remain opposed to the development, claiming the latest proposed buildings, up to 12 storeys high, are out of character with Woolston and too many homes are being crammed on to the site. They also claim there is no need for a second supermarket in Woolston. There is already a Co-op nearby.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce welcomed the latest planning application, which it said would continue to regenerate Woolston and provide much-needed affordable housing. It added that the supermarket should bring extra shoppers to the existing district centre in Woolston.

Crest Nicholson has already built 160 of the 1,620 homes it has earmarked for the site following earlier planning permission for the first 328 homes. Construction work on a new library, nursery and 168 new homes at the end of Victoria Road, linking the development with the district centre in Woolston, will be officially launched on Friday.

Three waterfront towers, rising to 25 storeys, will be among the final parts of the development to be built.

It is due to be completed in 2018.