SAINSBURY’S has unve-iled plans for a multi-million pound extension to its Heyford Hill store on the Oxford ring road.

It said the extension would create up to 50 new jobs for the area, as well as adding more than 10,000sq ft of extra space.

David McElhannan, in char-ge of store development for Sainsbury’s, said: “Our proposals would provide an improved shopping experience to our Heyford Hill customers, including an enhan-ced product range, a modernised shopping environment and new investment and job opportunities for the area.”

The supermarket giant is planning to build an extension at the front of the store, which would include a new entrance lobby.

A new restaurant would be built on the first floor with the store to undergo a complete refurbishment inside. Extensions would also be added to the rear of the building to increase warehouse space and online goods facilities.

The internal refurbishment would include new fresh meat, fish, delicatessen and hot food counters. There would also be more modern in-store displays and a more “open and spacious environment” for shoppers.

In the last two years, Oxford City Council has granted planning permission for some new warehouse space at the rear of the store and a new restaurant.

The latest plan would replace these changes, which have not yet been built.

The company said the new plans would create a better store layout for customers.

The planning application will go to the city council’s south east area committee on Monday. Officers have recommended the scheme should be approved.

The report to councillors said: “The applicants have a significant fall-back position in relation to this scheme, in terms of two extant planning permissions.

“On balance, the proposal is considered acceptable in terms of the impact on the retail needs of Oxford as a whole. In relation to access, parking, sustainability, landscaping and impact on neighbours, the proposal is considered acceptable.”

Sainsbury’s hoped work on the store extension could begin early in the New Year. Work would take about six months to complete.

The company said the store would create wider aisles and more space around the check out points. It would also allow an expansion of non food products already sold at the store such as homeware, kitchenware, clothing and electricals.

Neighbours had earlier raised concerns about the position of proposed recycling facilities but councillors will be told an ‘acoustic’ fence would be erected to avoid the problem of noise at the site.

The report suggests that the scheme was unlikely to have impact on other retail centres. Sainsbury’s estimated the scheme would divert “no more than one per cent of trade” from elsewhere.

Littlemore parish councillor David Wibberley, of Herschel Crescent, said: “I have no objection to the plans, as long as better access roads are built. It is almost impossible to leave the store’s car park sometimes because the Heyford Hill roundabout is a nightmare.

“That would only get worse with increased numbers of people. But if that is sorted, then I think it is fine. Sainsbury’s serves a role in the community and has always been non-intrusive.”

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