FEARS that the expansion of Evesham's Tesco could could seriously harm the livelihoods of other retailers in the town were over-ridden last week.

Wychavon's planning committee approved the supermarket giant's scheme to extend its Worcester Road store by about 2,000 sq ms, relocate its petrol station, add a car wash and alter the car-parking layout, despite worries flagged up by local councillor Mike Worrall.

He told councillors at last Thursday's meeting that recent out-of-town developments in Evesham had impacted on the town centre and added: "The time has come to say no, we've had enough.

"If we want to stop the rot we have no alternative but to refuse this application.

"We're going to have to limit this sort of expansion at some point and we should do it sooner rather than later.

"In my view the town centre of Evesham, especially with the recent announcement of the closure of the High Street's post office, is nearly dying on its feet."

That view was echoed by coun Malcolm Meikle who said Evesham had been "desperately adversely affected" by the building of two supermarkets on the outskirts.

He added: "Now you've lost the post office I'm not sure what will be left to go into the town centre for, apart from church."

Other councillors disagreed, notably Evesham's Martin Jennings who revealed he and other committee members had been contacted before the meeting by a Tesco official stating the company's case.

Coun Jennings said many people found the store very convenient and added: "You cannot combat market forces."

Coun Tony Hotham said Tesco's plan could also benefit the area as it would take over adjoining land occupied by Evesham Metal Pressings Ltd which, councillors heard, was keen to relocate to Vale Park.

In a written submission, Tesco told the committee its customers, who wanted a wider range of goods, had made the extension necessary, and that it would also be good for jobs.

It said it had become one of the town's major employers since opening the store 10 years ago and the extended building could create a further 14 full and part-time jobs.

Head of planning Jack Hegarty said there were insufficient planning reasons for refusing the extension and added a council report indicated the largest proportion of the extended store's business was likely to be derived from Safeway, with the impact on town centre business unlikely to exceed 5%.

The committee approved the application with various conditions including the retention of a free bus service and an agreement to keep non-food products to no more than 10%.