A SUPERMARKET’S plans to expand an out-of-town store have won the backing of planning officials.

Sainsbury’s wants to extend its branch at the Arnison Centre, on the outskirts of Durham, by almost a third, into its car park and service yard.

The scheme is due to go before councillors next week and Durham County Council planners have recommended it be approved.

The supermarket says the extension, of 2,194 square metres, would create 80 new full- and part-time jobs, taking the total employed at the store to 467.

Forty-one parking spaces would be lost, leaving 492; of which a further six would be reserved for disabled users, taking the allocation to 24.

The plans would see the store’s restaurant moved to a first floor mezzanine level and its the shop front and lobby enlarged.

The City of Durham Trust conservation group has objected to the scheme, saying the city centre is already suffering from shopping at the Arnison Centre and Dragonville estate, in Gilesgate.

One resident has written in support of the plan.

In his report, planning officer Peter Herbert writes: "This proposal should be seen as a positive addition to an established District Shopping Centre, enhancing the meeting of the needs of those living on the western side of Durham City, without impacting adversely upon the vitality and viability of other shopping centres in the area, or upon highway safety.

"Such inward investment, and the potential for additional job creation, should also be welcomed at this time, and subject to appropriate planning conditions planning approval should be granted."

The application will be considered by Durham County Council’s Central and East Durham area planning committee when it meets in the Council Chamber, Seaside Lane, Easington, on Tuesday, May 12, from 2pm.