A MULTI-MILLION pound redevelopment of a city centre supermarket is set to get the green light.

Sainsbury wants to replace its existing store at Foss Bank with a larger, two-storey building.

The development proposal could form part of a massive expansion of city centre shopping for York.

Proposals to transform a run-down council depot in Foss Islands Road into a retail park, including a Morrison supermarket, recently secured outline planning consent.

In addition, a series of major housing schemes along the Foss Island Road corridor, from the Barbican site to Huntington Road, are also in the planning system.

City of York Council leader Steve Galloway said today he felt the majority of York residents would welcome the new retail developments.

"We are very keen to get improved shopping choices available in the city," he said. "It is important that facilities as far as possible should be accessible by public transport, so a city centre location is desirable in that respect."

The redevelopment scheme still includes plans to demolish neighbouring DIY store Homebase to make way for the new supermarket.

However, last October, a spokesperson for Homebase insisted no terms had been agreed and the store put up signs saying it will not close. Homebase was unavailable to comment today.

Part of the council's Foss Bank multi-storey car park is also set to be knocked down under the scheme, with part of the existing top deck of the car park made available for public use and ground level customer parking provided between Jewbury and the new store.

Planning chiefs are recommending that the Sainsbury scheme is given final approval after a traffic study, though they have concluded that the new store would not significantly increase local traffic.

This is partly due to a loss of car trips to Homebase.

Sainsbury is making a £50,000 contribution for traffic improvements in the area, such as upgrading the Monkgate roundabout.

There will be improved access to the site, substantial cycle parking and easier pedestrian links to the city centre.

In a report to the council's planning committee, development control officer Mick Britton said that there are "relatively few neighbour objections" to the development and calls it "acceptable in terms of shopping policy, transport policy and design".

Plans to knock down both Homebase and Sainsbury's buildings and replace them with a £12 million new Sainbury store, together with 15 homes, were originally sent to planning officers in 2001, after Homebase was bought by Schroeders Capital Venture Group.

The new plans, which do not include housing, were submitted in February 2003 and are one of a number of developments planned for the Foss Bank area.

The new store would have floorspace of 8,605 square metres and parking for 445 cars.

The application will be discussed by the council's planning committee next Thursday, at the Guildhall.

Updated: 16:26 Thursday, April 15, 2004