A planning application to almost double the size of the Tesco store in Stalham has finally been lodged.The long expected application was registered by North Norfolk District Council on Monday.

A planning application to almost double the size of the Tesco store in Stalham has finally been lodged.

The long expected application was registered by North Norfolk District Council on Monday.

Tesco's corporate affairs manager Nick Gellatly said: “We recently consulted the public at our exhibition and the majority supported our proposals.

“The input that the public has had into the proposals has been very helpful.

“They now include a roundabout junction with the A149 and improvements to create a more attractive pedestrian link to the High Street”.

The council will now undertake its own consultation exercise before making a decision on the proposals next year.

Mr Gellatly said Tesco wanted to improve their customers' shopping experience, add ranges of goods and encourage more local people to shop in Stalham and use the shops and facilities in the High Street rather than driving to other towns.

The expansion would generate about 90 new local jobs, he added.

The proposal would redevelop the vacant redundant abattoir premises to the east of the existing store.

It would provide a 2,499sq m gross floorspace extension, including 1,670sq m of net sales floorspace. There would be 166 more car parking spaces, making a total of 355 spaces.

Old Market Road would be realigned to create a new gateway into Stalham.

The prospect of the plans being lodged led to a petition against them earlier in the year signed by hundreds of people.