RESIDENTS who objected to plans for a supermarket near their homes look set to win their battle.

An 82-name petition and ten letters of objection have been sent to Hartlepool Borough Council protesting about proposals for a discount foodstore, with 138 car parking spaces, in Jesmond Gardens.

The site is bounded by houses, recreational land and Hartlepool Alzheimer's Trust Home and Day Centre.

For the proposal to go ahead, an additional access would need to be created off the nearby Easington Road roundabout.

An exit on to Jesmond Gardens would also be needed. Both would be for delivery lorries.

Objectors are concerned that the proposed development would increase traffic and congestion.

They are also worried that youths would hang around the building and that the development would have an adverse impact upon people living in the area and patients at the Alzheimer's home.

Their concerns will be discussed by members of the council's planning committee on Wednesday.

Planning officers have recommended that councillors refuse the application.

A report to the meeting said: "The site is located on the edge of a predominantly residential area.

"It is not allocated for retailing and is not located within, or adjacent to, an existing local centre.

"It is considered the applicant has failed to demonstrate there is a need for the development and that the development will have an unacceptable impact on the vitality and viability of existing and proposed retail facilities.

"It is acknowledged there is a need for retail facilities within north-west Hartlepool.

"However, it is considered this need should be met through the development of the Middle Warren Local Centre."

The applicant, who has not been named, has submitted a planning statement, prepared by Nathaniel Litchfield, in support of the plans.

It says: "There is a need for a discount food store to serve the communities of north Hartlepool.

"The proposal will have regeneration, economic and employment benefits and will reduce the need for residents to travel.

"The local centre allocated as part of the Middle Warren housing development is unlikely to come forward within a reasonable period of time and is unsuitable for the development of a food store similar to that proposed.