AFTER almost three years a Ryedale town looks set to benefit from a new supermarket which could be ready to open as early as next year.

Tesco has been looking to build a store on the former Russell’s Yard, near the A170 at Kirkbymoorside, since 2011.

Now, following an approach from Kirkbymoorside Town Council, the retail giant has confirmed it is still planning to bring a store to the town.

Mark Thomas, regional corporate affairs manager north for Tesco, said he would talk to town councillors about the plans and was happy to answer any questions regarding the new development.

He said: “Tesco is committed to our proposals in Kirkbymoorside. We are working through a number of details related to the site and will look to construct the store in time for opening in 2015/16.

“We want to be a good neighbour in the town and I know that many residents were supportive of our proposals when we applied for permission.”

The news has been welcomed by residents and councillors in the town, who previously supported the application when it was first made and were left disappointed after the plans came under scrutiny in 2012, when councillors were forced to carry out an inspection on the site, delaying proceedings.

The plans were later given the go-ahead at a Ryedale District Council planning meeting, but town mayor Chris Dowie said since then the town council had heard little about whether the store still had plans to come.

She said: “They absolutely still say that they are coming to the town since we spoke to them not long before Christmas.

“It would be to have a development and be looking at a Tesco store rather than an empty space filled with rubble.”

During previous talks about the development the supermarket chain had agreed to certain conditions if they were to bring a store to the town, including the introduction of a cycle path to the primary school and three hours free parking so visitors to Tesco could have time to do their shopping and then visit the local shops in Kirkbymoorside. It also agreed to place signs at the store offering directions to the town centre.

Coun Dowie said: “These are things that would be great to our town and would mean that there is some benefit to the town as people would then visit our local shops.”