Supermarket giant Asda has unveiled plans to build a new depot in Didcot. The Vale of the White Horse District Council has received a planning application from Asda to build a 450,000 sq ft warehouse on land east of Sutton Courtenay Lane.

The move has been welcomed as a major boost for employment in the area - potentially up to 800 jobs could be created - although there are concerns about the potential for extra traffic on the roads.

John Flood, leader of Didcot Town Council, welcomed the jobs, but said he would have to see more detailed plans before making a comment on the transport implications for the town.

Proposals for the brownfield site include more than 30,500 sq m of warehouse space, 7,000 sq m of industrial space and 2,780 sq m of office space.

The current Asda warehouse, based in Southmead Industrial estate, is 200,000 sq ft and employs nearly 400 people. This will be closed under the plans and the staff relocated to the new site.

The company estimates 400 new full-time positions would be created as a result of the new depot, which will store dry goods, such as tinned food.

If permission is granted, it could be built within a year and open its doors in early 2009.

Melton Drive resident Roger Woodley, 67, welcomed the move to bring new jobs to Didcot.

He said: "I cannot see anything against it really, there will just be a bit more traffic, but the site is quite out of the way."

The application comes just weeks after power tools maker Ryobi announced it will open a depot in Didcot creating 50 new jobs in the 156,000 sq ft distribution facility, with the promise of more to come.

A decision on the Asda application will be made early next year. The company was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.