SOUTHAMPTON could be set for its first Marks & Spencer Foodhall.

The retail giant has lodged plans to take over an empty unit at Shirley Retail Park, previously home to Currys PC World.

If accepted, the new store, which could also include an M&S run cafe, will create up to 55 jobs.

Civic chiefs have already green lit proposals to extend opening hours on site for an M&S store – the city's third.

But plans have hit a snag over fears that a food hall could spark traffic chaos on nearby Winchester Road.

Council officers say 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 has not quelled the fears of transport bosses, who have 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."

Ms White added: “The information provided does not give me confidence that this site is capable in its current format of accommodating the food store.”

The objection has 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.

CLICK HERE: To see the pictures from the opening of Eastleigh's M&S Foodhall.

If accepted, 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 is 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.”

M&S did not provide a comment in time for publication.