A PROPOSED 300-job supermarket moved a significant step forward when it cleared a major planning hurdle.

Morrisons hopes to open a new 6,000 sq metre food store at Dragonville, in Durham City by Christmas next year.

The company plans to take over part of the existing B&Q store on Durham City Retail Park, with the existing DIY outlet continuing to operate on a smaller 5,200 square metre store.

Members of Durham County Council’s central and east area planning committee heard today (TUES) that permission was not required for change of use into a food store, but several external alterations would need to be approved to allow the conversion to go ahead, .

Chris Creighton, agent for both companies, told the committee that all 115 staff currently employed by the DIY company would be retained in the new smaller store and added that Morrisons hoped to create approximately 300 new jobs when it opened.

Responding to councillors’ concerns about whether jobs would be lost if the DIY company operated out of a smaller store, he added: “B&Q have already done a number of these divisions elsewhere in the country.

“They sell the same range of goods, but they don’t have as many in stock. They use the same number of staff, but more intensively in a smaller area.”

Councillors unanimously approved alterations to the site.

The meeting at County Hall, in Durham, heard that Belmont Parish Council did not object to the application, but raised some concerns about the potential increase in traffic and possible noise disturbance for nearby residents from delivery vehicles.

Cllr Patrick Conway said were “wholehearted in support of a new supermarket”, but some had expressed concerns about traffic issues in the area.

He added: “You almost need to take a day’s holiday to cross Carrville High Street."