CONTROVERSIAL proposals for the region’s latest supermarket were approved yesterday as research showed at least 577 UK superstores were backed by planners in the past two years.

Redcar and Cleveland borough councillors spent three hours listening to arguments for and against the £40m Tesco for South Bank, near Middlesbrough, before giving it the go-ahead.

Shopkeepers in Eston and Normanby said the new store would destroy their livelihoods, while residents in South Bank and Grangetown believe it will kickstart regeneration in the area.

The store is expected to create about 450 jobs, with half being guaranteed for local people, especially those who have been long-term unemployed.

Stephanie Mann, who owns two businesses in Eston, said: “New jobs will be created but the bottom line is that Eston and Normanby stores will decline and that will lead to unemployment.”

However, residents from South Bank and Grangetown were out in force to support the scheme.

Danny Ackroyd, of South Bank Tomorrow, said: “We need Tesco in South Bank because we need it to kick-start regeneration in the area and they have done their homework and have been working with local community groups.”

The shop will be on the former site of Low Grange Farm, next to the crossroads of Normanby Road and the A1085.

Research published by the BBC yesterday found that at least 577 UK supermarkets have been approved in the past two years, with campaigners concerned at the growth of the “big four” companies – Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.

Stephen Sanderson, who owns the Village Shop in Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, said his takings were down 30 per cent since the recent opening of a Tesco store in the village.

He said he would lose his home if trade did not pick up, and said: “I have probably sunk about £350,000 into the business, so I had to put my home up as collateral.”

Tesco said it had invested heavily in the economy despite the recession and had created thousands of jobs in deprived areas.

A Tesco spokesman said: “Most of our new store applications are not for large supermarkets but for small, local convenience stores, the likes of which millions of customers have relied on to get food in the bad weather.”