Construction is finally set to begin on a controversial new Sainsbury’s supermarket in Southport - and plans suggest it will be bigger than expected.
Initial plans for a 60,000sq ft store and petrol station were scaled down last year.
But a new report on Sefton Council's website says the supermarket giant will push ahead and build the big store at Meols Cop Retail Park.
The retailer received planning permission to demolish the former Homebase site and build its new store in 2017.
The application was highly contentiou s and only approved following a five-day public inquiry - called for by former Southport MP and now councillor John Pugh in 2015.
The initial inquiry cost more than £130k of local taxpayers' money - and the four years spent revising the plans has meant countless hours of labour for council officers, adding more and more to the bill.
Plans for a smaller store were then approved on July 31 this year, but a letter on Sefton's website says: "There are no outstanding planning matters that would preclude the implementation of the 2016 Permission."
It goes on to say the first phase of works will form part of the supporting structure and foundation for the access ramp to the first floor service yard.
In 2017, Sainsbury’s said new complex would create 400 jobs - as well as more shopping choice for consumers.
At the time, some residents complained the traffic system couldn’t cope with the additional store so close to Aldi and Tesco, while former MP John Pugh raised fears over more shopping footfall being taken away from the town centre.
However in July of this year, planning officer Steve Faulkner said the new store would be a positive addition to the town, with a 'net gain of employment opportunity moving forward'.
Sainsbury's has been approached for further comment.
