A TESCO supermarket in Callington could be opening its doors in time for Christmas 2010 after planning permission was granted on Tuesday for a store on the edge of the town.

At the last ever meeting of Caradon District Council's planning committee — before Cornwall becomes a unitary authority on April 1 — councillors voted by ten to one with two abstentions for the scheme which will include a petrol station.

It was granted with a number of conditions and subject to a legal agreement that includes a £105,000 contribution to improve accessibility between the site in Tavistock Road and the town centre, pedestrianisation of the town and a one-way system.

There was some concern over conflicting opinions between the planning department, which supported the scheme, and the economic and community services officer, who said it was difficult to argue a need for this facility given that Callington had a supermarket (Co-op), a large Spar store and a number of independent retailers.

But councillors were swayed by local support for the scheme and the fact that 80% of Callington residents were going outside the town to shop.

Agent for Tesco Mark Scoot told members the proposal would keep people shopping within Callington, combining trips to Tesco with linked trips to the town centre.

He said 90% of people who attended a public consultation supported the scheme unreservedly.

The store was expected to affect trading in the town centre by 6%, he said.

Ward member Andrew Long said the percentage of people coming to Callington to shop had been diminishing for the past 25 years because there were more shopping opportunities in other towns.

'I think the figure is probably more than 80% because we are surrounded by four towns which have more than one supermarket each,' he said. 'These pull in the population of Callington and people also do their other shopping in these towns. In a busy world that is what people do.'

He said the interest in the Tesco application had been 'overwhelming' and at a level he had never experienced in his ten years as a town councillor.

The 250 full and part-time jobs would also help Callington, he added.

His comments were reiterated by Cllr Chris Thomas, who said the supermarket would be very close to elderly residents' accommodation and housing estates, and there was a footpath link from the east side of the town to encourage people to travel into the town centre.

Officers and councillors are to investigate the possibility of a further contribution by Tesco of £50,000 towards town centre improvements, after it was stated that other towns had received bigger contributions from supermarket companies putting forward proposals.

Cllr Beryl Martin, who represents the Lynher ward, said it was a nonsense that people were driving through Callington to shop in Tavistock.

She said: 'Callington also adjoins North Cornwall and this is a very large rural area. The people living there have to shop somewhere and they would only have to drive a short distance to Callington.

'To be able to draw these people to Callington to shop and discover the town's hidden charms can only be to Callington's benefit.'

But Cllr Philip Beamont said he would have to abstain because of the contradictory reports of the planning and economic officers.

A deferral was asked for so the economic development officer could be present, but this was not supported.

The Tesco store will be open from 7am to 10pm Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 10pm on Saturdays and 10am to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

A spokesperson for Tesco said the company was very pleased to be able to bring a supermarket to the people of Callington who right from the start had been very supportive. It was hoped the store would be up and running in time for Christmas 2010.