PROPOSALS to build a new Tesco supermarket at Grafton Way near Cardinal Park are due to be debated by the borough at the end of next month.

The revised planning application is due to be on the agenda for the borough’s planning and development committee at its meeting on March 27.

The Ipswich Star understands that planning officers are likely to recommend councillors to approve the application.

Tesco was given planning permission to build a huge store on the site by the previous Conservative/Liberal Democrat administration in May 2010.

The application included a superstore with roof-top parking, flats, hotels, and other shop units. It was approved by the narrowest possible majority in the teeth of opposition from Labour councillors.

Labour now runs the borough, but the revised application is considerably scaled back from that proposed three years ago.

The store will sell food and other groceries – it will not be a superstore selling the whole range of Tesco products. And instead of more than 100 flats, the new proposal would see a small number of town houses on the site.

The site will also have two hotels and a small number of shop and cafe units.

The application is, however, likely to see a re-modelling of the road network between the Grafton Way and Novotel roundabouts which is likely to cause major disruption in the wake of the Travel Ipswich project..

If the application is approved, Tesco is likely to start work later in the year – and the new development should be finished in 2014.

Should the new Tesco be approved? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk