AN EXPANSION of the large Tesco store at Catterick Garrison was approved by just one vote this week amid warnings that it could cause further damage to trade in Richmond.

Richmondshire District Council environment and planning committee paved the way on Tuesday for an extra 20,900 sq ft of floor space, despite a call for a decision to be deferred for more information on the potential impact on neighbouring shopping centres.

Coun Jane Parlour, who said she was concerned that Tesco was growing "by stealth", said members should wait a few weeks for the results of a retail impact study being undertaken by the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Tabling an amendment to a motion of approval from council leader John Blackie, she said: "It is important that we have all the information in front of us to be absolutely sure we are doing the right thing."

The amendment was defeated by five votes to four, and the expansion, expected to create another 70 jobs, was conditionally approved by the same margin subject to highway improvements off the site in Richmondshire Walk.

The committee last month agreed that it was minded to approve the expansion, but deferred a decision until this week to consider the outstanding results of local consultations.

Town centre manager Colin Grant said Richmond had been experiencing the effects of retail dislocation for several years and the decline was accelerated by the opening of Tesco in 2000.

There had been some recovery following an aggressive marketing and recruitment campaign but the town, which still had eight charity shops and nine empty properties, had a long way to go.

Mr Grant, who claimed the results of the Yorkshire Forward study at the end of November would throw new light on the expansion plan, warned: "We all want to benefit from the convenience of large supermarkets but no one wants to see that at the expense of empty shops in historic market towns."

Dr Mike Nicholls, vice-chairman of Richmond Business and Tourism Association, said it was hoped the independent analysis would indicate whether Tesco's proposals placed the company in a dangerously monopolistic position.

Coun John Harris said: "I think we have given in too easily on this and the feeling is of being overwhelmed by a juggernaut. Tesco will be a dominant influence. The balance has shifted to the Garrison and away from Richmond.''

But Coun Blackie said the expansion sat "four square" with national, regional and local planning policies and had to be viewed in the context of extra jobs and additional services. If neighbouring towns like Leyburn and Bedale had had any concerns they would also have made representations.

He said: "Some customers at Tesco may go on to use shops in Richmond. The argument has been lost because the store is already there."

Committee chairman Coun Pat Middlemiss said: "If we develop this correctly and link it in with Richmond, we can encourage people to go on to there from Catterick."

Planning officers said they were satisfied the impact of the expansion would not be significant and an objection could not be sustained on those grounds. Refusal would involve the risk of the council having to pay costs if Tesco won any appeal.

Officers concluded there was enough evidence to support the expansion without waiting for the results of the Yorkshire Forward study.