PLANS for a Tesco store on Plymouth Road in Tavistock are expected to be discussed by West Devon Borough Council's planning committee on November 5.

The controversial scheme will create 105 jobs but is being opposed by Tavistock Chamber of Commerce because of its potential impact on the town centre.

Owners of the former Focus DIY building Marchfield Properties submitted the application to the borough council in July to bring the site, which has been vacant for two years, back into use.

A spokesperson for the borough council said to date there had been 193 letters of representation on the planning application, 147 in favour and 46 against.

Director of Marchfield Properties Richard James said he hoped a Tesco store would help the job situation in the borough where there were still 450 people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance.

'Government statistics tell us that many of these people are seeking retail work with 33 applicants for every retail vacancy, far more than any other sector,' he said.

'Sadly, that demand is currently not being met. Our proposals will create 105 jobs directly in the store as well as creating indirect employment through store maintenance and the supply chain and we are hoping that councillors will listen to public opinion and give us the green light to bring this empty retail unit back into use.'

A consultation held by Marchfield Properties on the planning application attracted more than 200 representations with 78% supporting the supermarket plan. Businesses on the Plymouth Road Retail and Industrial Park are also in favour of the scheme.

Mr James said the plans were for the existing Focus unit only and there was no plan or indeed possibility of extending the store in future.

Chairman of the chamber of commerce Nigel Eadie said figures produced by a think tank of the New Economic Foundation revealed that for every supermarket job there was a net loss of up to four jobs in the local economy.

'We do not see this in any way as a positive thing for the town or the local employment market. If Tesco is approved, and we hope it's not, it will deal a fatal blow to the town centre and change the complete mixture of our shops which make the town unique.'