Caister's supersize Tesco plan delayed

PLANS for a new super-sized Tesco store in Caister will not now be submitted until after the early summer at the earliest.

Developer Tamsland is currently investigating concerns raised by villagers about the plans to build a store double the size of the existing supermarket in Yarmouth Road.

Fears were raised the drainage system around the store would not be able to cope, increasing the risk of flooding, at a public exhibition for the plans in December, attended by 150 residents.

But Tamsland director Nick Wright said: “All the information gathered is being analysed and discussed. Further investigations have already taken place regarding certain aspects raised by the general public.

“This additional work will mean that the scheme eventually submitted for planning approval will be shown to have been given very careful consideration by the Parish Council and ourselves.

“From the amount of local support received it is clear that the current plans are, on the whole, acceptable but further improvements will be incorporated in the final plans.”

Mr Wright added further reports and surveys would be carried out during the spring and early summer before a planning application was submitted to Yarmouth borough council.

A new �1m village hall will be created as part of the plans for the 50,000 sq ft superstore on an area of council-owned grassland on the other side of the access road to the current store.

The current car park will be extended to take the land occupied by the current Tesco, which will be bulldozed to provide enough space for 350 cars while the village's youth centre in Yarmouth Road will be demolished and replaced with the new village hall.

The entrance to the new store will face the access road, which will remain so customers travelling by car will have to cross the road to get to the supermarket.