AN APPLICATION to build a Tesco supermarket in Callington has been submitted to Caradon District Council following overwhelming support from the community at a public exhibition.
The supermarket company said this week that the plans had been 'finely-tuned' since the two-day exhibition in Callington Town Hall in September and a series of meetings with councillors and other community representatives.
Almost 90% of residents who returned feedback forms supported the proposals for the site off Tavistock Road, adjacent to the Ginsters factory.
The development is designed to encourage Callington residents to shop locally, and combine their major food shopping with visits to other town centre shops.
The store proposed for Callington would be around three-quarters of the size of the Tesco at Launceston at just over 4,000 square metres, and would include an in-store bakery and delicatessen.
As well as a wider choice of food, the application also includes plans for a four-pump petrol station on the site, a move which has been particularly welcomed by people in the area.
The supermarket will also create up to 180 jobs locally.
A Tesco spokesperson said: 'The level of support shown shows that there is clearly an appetite for a supermarket in Callington to improve choice, make food shopping more convenient, create jobs and bring spending back into the town.
'In line with Government policy, the application is for the closest suitable site to the town centre and we have been pleased to incorporate many of the suggestions we have had from local people into our plans.'
These suggestions include the need for more landscaping along the front boundary. A limited range of clothing will also be stocked, due to customer demand.
Caradon District Council will now undertake its own consultation on the application before deciding whether to grant permission. If successful, building on the site could begin next summer.
Tesco will also have to enter into a section 106 agreement which outlines the contribution the applicant will make to the community in terms of infrastructure, education or highway improvements if planning permission is given.
Callington Town Council has already made it clear that it would like to see a pedestrian crossing at the A388 traffic lights in the centre of town.
Callington's deputy portreeve Karen Gold said she supported the supermarket because it would be good for the town.
She said: 'I think it will keep people in Callington and encourage them to use the other shops in the town. It is ridiculous that we have no petrol station here at the moment so to get everything you need in Callington will be good.
'I also support it for the jobs that will be coming and I hope Tesco will give a bit of life back to Callington.'
She added that it was also up to other shopkeepers to seize on this opportunity to attract people into Callington.
Tesco is keen to talk to local traders about any concerns, to build a good relationship and 'maximise benefits for the town'.
A council spokesperson said with major planning applications like this one, it would be at least 13 weeks before any decision was made.