A MAJOR Tesco superstore redevelopment is still on track for completion after ecological surveys were carried out on the Caister site.Developer Tamsland called in ecological experts to carry out checks for great crested newts and other protected species on land to the west of the village's existing Tesco store in Yarmouth Road.

A MAJOR Tesco superstore redevelopment is still on track for completion after ecological surveys were carried out on the Caister site.

Developer Tamsland called in ecological experts to carry out checks for great crested newts and other protected species on land to the west of the village's existing Tesco store in Yarmouth Road.

However, the results of the tests conducted over a two- month period, which started in May, have found no great crested newts on the site.

But Tamsland director Nick Wright said a planning application to create a store twice the size of the existing premises could not be submitted until further traffic

and

retail surveys had been carried out.

The existing store will be demolished and a new �1m village hall will be incorporated into the plans for the new 50,000sq ft

store which will be built on an

area of grassland on the other side of the access road to the existing store.

The current car park will be extended to take the land occupied by the current Tesco, providing enough space for 350 cars.

The entrance to the new store will face the current store, while the village's youth centre in Yarmouth Road will also be demolished to make way for the new village hall.

Under UK law, great crested newts are protected from being killed, or having their habitats threatened as the country is a stronghold for the species in Europe.

Mr Wright said: “I can't give a specific date for when the application will be submitted, but everything is in hand to make that application

once all the material has been prepared.”