Tesco plans approved by council

Building could start next year

Plans for a new Tesco store in South Gloucestershire will go to the government for final approval.

After the plans were approved by South Gloucestershire Council on Wednesday, the Government Office for the South West will now take a closer look.

Tesco wants to redevelop its existing store in Bradley Stoke, to help create a centre for the housing estate.

The government can rubber-stamp the plans, but could also refer them to a public inquiry.

A new Tesco and other shops are due to be built on the site, after which the existing store will be knocked down.

'New life'

The approval from South Gloucestershire Council comes with conditions, including one that delivery times can only be between 0800 and 2000.

There will also be a review of the sound around the site after six months of its installation.

A taxi rank is to be provided by Tesco, which has also pledged £250,000 to run new buses into the site.

Bradley Stoke Lib Dem councillor Jon Williams said: "I'm pleased to see that the proposals were well supported. I am optimistic that the new town centre will breathe new life into the community."

The company initially applied for permission to redevelop the store in 2003.

Many local residents, and rival Morrisons, have since complained.