A TESCO store in Ottery St Mary could be a reality by 2010 according to the supermarket giant.

A TESCO store in Ottery St Mary could be a reality by 2010 according to the supermarket giant.

The 10,000 sq ft "eco convenience store" with 103 car parking spaces will "regenerate a derelict area" and "create a modern and pleasant shopping environment" in the town, and create around 100 new jobs according to the chain.

Planning applications to completely overhaul the town's vacant factory site will be submitted to East Devon District Council within months according to the supermarket and the developer who own the land.

The sudden plans, which were revealed in the Herald in November, have become a prominent talking point in the town. Many residents feel the development is long- overdue while some local shopkeepers fear they will lose trade if the supermarket is built.

Ottery campaign group Factory Future (FF) group vowed to launch a "vigorous campaign" to ensure that Tesco does not gain a foothold in the town.

FF coordinator Phil Foggit said: "Communities across Britain have seen their small shops close and local economies decimated by the likes of Tesco- Ottery will not join that long list".

A Tesco spokesperson said: "There is no evidence to suggest supermarkets put shops out of business, it is unlikely it will affect the town centre, in fact we think the opposite."

"I would hope the town centre retailers this as an opportunity- where people will stay in the town to do their shopping. Residents will have a site with a small convenience store where people can park for free and walk, or take the bus into town."

Tesco bought part of the factory site from Churchill Properties for nearly £3million earlier this year. The developer plans to convert other buildings on the land for residential and community uses.

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