SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's is brimming with optimism that Worcester City Council will approve plans to build a store in St John's.

The application for a shop and car park in Swanpool Park will be considered by the planning committee on Thursday, with a recommendation of approval by the director of development services.

The new proposals address the council's original reasons for refusal, namely the size of the sales area, and aim to alleviate the highway department's concerns about traffic.

The new plans outline a sales area of 24,500sq ft - compared to 26,000sq ft suggested previously.

Two extra pedestrian crossings - across Swanpool Walk and Malvern Road - have been included to address safety concerns, particularly for children travelling to and from school.

Increased landscaping and thicker plants have also been included.

Applications for the relocation of the sports centre to the former council depot on Malvern Road, a pedestrian walkway linking the supermarket and the car park with St John's, and a replacement all-weather pitch were approved by the council earlier this year.

Simon Coles, of Sainsbury's Property Company, said the firm believed the plans represented a realistic response to concerns.

"We're pleased officers have chosen to recommend our application and hope members are able to reach a decision based on this," he said.

"But if they refuse, it's likely we will appeal and request both this and Sainsbury's original application are considered together at the public inquiry in November."