The application to build a retail store to replace the current building, plus several non-food retail units and residential apartments with car parking along with a new access for vehicles, will be considered by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council planning committee next Thursday.

The scheme has attracted a barrage of objections.

Council officers have recommended that the matter should be deferred for completion of a legal agreement to secure free on-site public car parking for three hours and a service and delivery management plan.
They have also said the matter should be referred to the Secretary of State.

Officers have also said the application should be delegated to the director of planning for eventual approval if there are no new issues raised, the legal agreement is reached and the Secretary of State does not call in the application.

The plans were first considered by the planning committee in December.
At that time, the committee resolved to support the application in principle, but deferred a decision to enable areas of concern to be addressed.

Amended plans have now been submitted.

The scheme will involve the demolition of existing buildings on the site and the creation of a replacement supermarket to the south of the site.

A terrace of three retail units with residential flats above would be created, fronting on to George Street, and two retail units would be built either side of the proposed access fronting on to Middle Street.
A total of 210 car parking spaces would be provided and access for delivery vehicles would be by way of Middle Street, with customer access from George Street.

A new pedestrian access is also proposed from Middle Street to the site by demolishing through an existing shop at 37 Middle Street.
A separate application has been submitted for this part of the scheme and is recommended for approval next Thursday.

Both applications have been submitted by Tesco Stores Ltd.

Driffield Town Council has lodged strong objections to the main application, as have several dozen residents.

A report to be considered by the committee states: "The applicants have submitted amended plans which, on the whole, would overcome the concerns raised with regard to the design of the proposed archway on Middle Street. Further landscaping details have been submitted which enhance the planting along the boundaries with the residential properties of St John's Gardens and Lockwood Street, which help to reduce the impact of the superstore building."