A scheme to build a huge new state-of-the-art Sainsbury's store in York cleared a vital hurdle by winning the unanimous support of city planners.

Members of City of York Council's planning committee all voted in favour of the move which will see the Foss Bank branch of the supermarket and the neighbouring Homebase demolished.

A new Sainsbury's store will be built, which, at 6,000 square metres, will be 1,300 square metres larger than the current store.

Dave Merrett, chairman of the planning committee, was happy to give the plans his support, describing Sainsbury's as an "important facility" in the city centre area, which was "desperately short" of such stores.

His only disappointment was that the new building was not as attractive as the one which currently stands in Foss Bank and which it will replace.

The new Sainsburys will have a larger food store as Homebase will close completely.

The position of the new store will be essentially where Homebase stands now and car parking space will occupy the site which houses the present Sainsbury's.

However, there will be less space for parking than now.

As part of the plans which councillors approved, three houses and 12 flats will also be built on the site.

Updated: 09:30 Friday, March 02, 2001