Tesco megashed decision expected

Planning permission has already been rejected by councillors

Plans to build a large distribution centre for Tesco in Hampshire are set to be decided later.

Test Valley Council planners will have the final say on the "megashed", which would cover 20 acres (80,174 sq m) at the former Andover Airfield.

Opponents of the plans said local roads would be clogged up and the landscape would be damaged.

But developers said it would create hundreds of jobs and bring millions of pounds to the local economy.

Last month the developer, Goodman, terminated its contract with the supermarket after it failed to reach an agreement with Tesco over stringent environmental controls.

But it did not withdraw its planning application for the business park development, which also includes a hotel, offices and warehousing.

Planning permission has already been rejected by Test Valley Borough Council, but a final decision was then referred to the council's planning control committee, which is due to be announced on Monday evening.

Those in favour of the scheme said it would create 1,200 jobs and see a £120m investment in Andover's economy.