A LEADING supermarket has got the go-ahead for a major expansion of a York store.

Bosses at Tesco at Clifton Moor have been granted planning permission to extend the shop and install a second floor inside the superstore. The development will increase the shop's ground floor area by about 2,900 square metres, but lead to the loss of 89 customer parking spaces.

A company spokesman welcomed the decision by City of York Council's east area planning sub-committee.

He said: "Customers are constantly demanding that we have a better range of products. They want to see the best in their local store, and this investment will allow that to happen."

The store will be expanded at the rear to provide a larger base for its home delivery service and to make more floor space within the shop.

The plans also include a mezzanine floor - an open-plan floor suspended between the ground floor and the roof.

Alterations to nearby footpaths are also included in the plan. Council officers had recommended it be approved, but attached conditions relating to the development and its construction.

They said permission should be conditional on secure cycle parking being included, and safe access for pedestrians and bus-users.

It also said limits should remain on the amount of floor space that could be devoted to both non-food items and food items. There were no objections to the scheme from Clifton Without Parish Council, Clifton Moor Business Association or residents.

In a statement with the application, Tesco wrote: "By today's standards, the existing store at Clifton Moor utilises an inefficient footprint, which affects the function of the building.

"It is below what customers have come to expect from Tesco and does not adequately reflect the company's position as one of the UK's top retailers."