DISCOUNT retailer Home Bargains is planning to open a second store in York, creating 50 jobs.

The business, which is looking to increase its number of stores from 320 to more than 700 in the next five years, has unveiled £500,000 plans to open in Foss Islands Retail Park, filling the vacant unit formerly occupied by Dreams.

It will be the second York store for Home Bargains, which currently operates out of Clifton Moor Retail Park.

However the new store is subject to City of York Council approving an application to lift a condition placed on Foss Islands Retail Park when it was built to restrict what is sold from the site.

A planning agreement for the park, granted in May 2010, prevents retailers from selling a number of small goods items.

Home Bargains wants to lift the condition to allow it to sell food and drink and toys alongside its other range of products which fall within the consent.

Tim Rainbird, director of Quod, which is acting as agent for applicant Threadneedle Property Unit Trust, said contracts have already been exchanged with Home Bargains on a "subject to planning" basis, with the retailer committing to a 15-year lease.

He said: "If the application is successful and Home Bargains are able to occupy the vacant unit, a number of significant economic benefits will arise.

"First, it will facilitate the long term occupation of the unit which has been vacant now for more than 16 months, despite ongoing and active marketing.

"Indeed, it has become evident that there is very little chance of the unit being brought into beneficial use under the current retail restrictions with only Home Bargains expressing an interest in occupying the unit.

"The reoccupation of the unit by Home Bargains will also bring forward significant local economic investment, but perhaps more importantly, the creation of up to 50 new local jobs.

"This level of job creation will have a direct and positive impact on local employment opportunities and offset a number of lost jobs when Dreams ceased trading in March 2013. The proposals therefore represent an opportunity to re-occupy a vacant unit which currently does not contribute positively to the local economy."

The application reveals that the unit had been marketed to non-food multiple retailers but attracted no interest.

Two retailers, which were prevented from trading under the planning condition, had shown interest, however Home Bargains is now the only business interested in the unit.

In its application Home Bargains lists its main retailer offering as health and beauty products, medicines, baby products, household products, toys and games, pet food, home furnishings and ornaments, seasonal products, food and drink, and non-fashion clothing.