A supermarket giant looks set to create 300 jobs in Clacton after plans for a new store got the green light.

Asda has committed to having a 24-hour store in the town by 2016.

The retailer’s plans to redevelop and regenerate the existing Co-op store in Bull Hill Road in the town received unanimous support from Tendring District Council’s (TDC) planning committee last night.

Asda will knock down the existing buildings on the site and construct a new food store, petrol station and associated parking.

The site, roughly the size of two rugby pitches, has been used for retail since the 1970s.

Planning consultants acting on behalf of the proposed Clacton Gateway site, which aims to build a supermarket on land opposite the Brook Retail Park on the outskirts of the town, opposed the plans and asked the committee to either defer or refuse the scheme on a number of grounds.

But councillors voted nine to nil in favour of it.

Phil Bartram, an Asda spokesman, said the store could be delivered and will open by 2016.

He said: “It will be a high quality supermarket on an existing site providing local jobs in the local community – within two to three miles of the site.”

Mr Bartram added the existing 70 jobs at the current Co-op store would be protected as the staff would be taken on by Asda.

Clare David, TDC planning manager, said the firm had carried out a consultation exercise in February and from almost 500 feedback forms more than 90% were in favour of the plans.

She said: “The scheme was also revised to take into account comments made during the consultation

“On balance, the report says there will be an impact on Clacton town centre but not a significant one which is the key word in planning terms.”

The planning permission was granted with 30 conditions requiring Asda to include elements such as making improvements to Valley Road, providing additional bus stops, providing a travel plan and new CCTV cameras.