FLEETWOOD shoppers will no longer have to trek out of town to their nearest major foodstore.

A multi-million pound plan for a supermarket, petrol station, five shops and a 330-space car park in the heart of Fleetwood has been passed by Wyre planning committee - and building work should start early next year.

The plan, said developer Mark Dransfield, will "breathe new life into the heart of Fleetwood."

The scheme should create 450 new jobs as well as 300 during construction. No supermarket operator has yet been named but it is expected to be one of the top chains.

Mr Dransfield, of Sheffield-based Dransfield Properties, said: "We are absolutely delighted. This is great news for us and great news for Fleetwood.

"When we held our public exhibition in April we realised then that there was massive support for a new development in the town centre and this confirms it."

The scheme involves the Sheffield-based Dransfield Properties taking over existing businesses in a block bounded by Lord Street, Mount Street, Dock Street and Station Road. The businesses will be relocated to new purpose-built premises.

Factors in its favour were that it was not an out-of-town site and that Fleetwood is currently under-supplied with food superstores - the nearest of the big names is Safeway in Cleveleys.

The scheme would also join up the town centre with the Freeport Shopping Village which has proved a popular draw for visitors.

Ward councillor Graham Robinson said: "This scheme is welcome - it will help open up Lord Street and bring people from the Freeport into the town centre."

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