SUPERMARKET bosses have now handed in a planning application in a bid to increase their store in a Suffolk market town.

Waitrose has tabled a proposal with Suffolk Coastal District Council to extend its premises in Church Street, Saxmundham, by a fifth.

The retailer wants to increase its existing foodstore by 222 sq m.

The application is also for the refurbishment and change of use of a former auction house, for either retail, financial and professional or business purposes.

This will include the partial demolition of the existing building and associated works.

The proposals were showcased at a public exhibition at the end of last year.

A spokesman for Waitrose said: “The proposed investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to Saxmundham and our confidence in the town’s future as a vibrant shopping destination.

“We are increasing the site by about a fifth to make more efficient use of the premises.”

A date has not yet been set for when Suffolk Coastal District Council’s north area development control sub-committee will discuss the plans.

Meanwhile work has started at the site opposite the Waitrose store, which will be home to a new Tesco.

It is understood that the store is scheduled to open in the early part of next year.

Earlier this week builders on the site discovered what they thought was an old bomb.

Experts from bomb disposal and the RAF were called in to investigate but nothing explosive was found inside the item and it was removed.