Derby City Council approves Allenton Tesco store

Councillors have approved plans to build a 24-hour supermarket in a Derby suburb.

Derby City Council's planning committee gave the go-ahead for a Tesco store on the Allenton Market site on Thursday evening.

Plans for the store and petrol station were recommended for approval in April but planners had concerns over the impact of increased traffic.

It is believed the project will create about 350 jobs in the area.

Traffic 'cost'

In a statement, a Tesco spokeswoman said: "We are delighted councillors have supported the local community and backed the plans for 350 jobs, a new market and opportunities for Allenton.

"By investing here, Tesco will play our part in kick-starting local regeneration and bring more choice for local people.

"We look forward to working closely with residents and representatives and to being a good neighbour."

Labour Councillor Baggy Shanker, the sole member of the Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition-controlled council's planning committee who voted against the proposal, said he still had concerns over the extra traffic in the area.

"The revised modelling shows traffic will worsen and congestion will be much more prevalent in the area.

"I just don't think Tesco and the council have done enough to mitigate the impact of traffic."

Mr Shanker did add that he supported the regeneration of the area but "not at any cost".