PLANS for a Morrisons supermarket in Middlewich have finally been approved.

All but one member of Cheshire East Council's southern planning committee voted in favour of the Newton Bank scheme last Wednesday.

Construction work is now expected to begin in March and the scheme will create 150 jobs.

Andrew Wood, development executive for Morrisons, said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the decision.

"I'm looking forward to working with the local officers to be able to commence construction as soon as possible in view to achieve an opening date before Christmas 2012."

But during the meeting, applicant John Radcliffe, director of Radcliffe Developments, had a fight on his hands as the scheme has been vigorously opposed by Tesco.

The supermarket giant has rival plans for an extended town centre store in Southway and lodged a fourth objection against Morrisons’ plans on Monday.

Mike Baker, agent for Tesco, added: “This is about what’s best for the town centre.

“If Morrisons is approved we will lose out on 30 per cent of takings and a substantial amount of linked trips to the town centre will go with it.

“Our concern is that Tesco should go first. The Government’s town centre first policy is very clear.”

But Mr Radcliffe, whose family business was established in 1802, said: “How do you know we will deliver?

“Because we only get paid on delivery. We don’t get paid for sitting on stores.

“We want to be open for next Christmas and we mean it. In the past you’ve seen promises of regeneration that have not been delivered.

“We’ve all seen promises for grander scheme and who knows if that will be delivered.

“The only way to guarantee a food store in Middlewich is to consent this plan today.”

The plans will see Booseys garden centre and Middlewich Autos transformed into a 26,000sq ft grocery store with 166 parking spaces.

Despite support from Middlewich Town Council, Clr Simon McGrory, ward member for Middlewich, was the only person to abstain from the vote.

He was concerned about conflicting information about highways aspects and the affect it would have on Wheelock Street.

Clr McGrory added: “There’s still some things I need to get answers for. How are we going to encourage people to link their shopping trips to the town centre?

“There’s still some questions about vitality and sustainability with the location.”

But Clr Les Gilbert said: “A modest supermarket like this Morrisons proposal could benefit traders.

“It’s very good for parking and a short walk to Wheelock Street. People would be encouraged to go into the town centre to buy what they can’t get at Morrisons.

“I’m not impressed by Tesco’s argument. Increased competition and choice is healthy.

“It would be wrong of this committee to hand Tesco monopoly on a plate.”