A SUPERMARKET extension has been approved - despite concerns about its impact on nearby town centres.

Tesco has been given permission to add a further 20,000sq ft of floorspace to its Catterick Garrison store.

After a heated debate, Richmondshire District councillors narrowly voted in favour of the development on Tuesday.

The meeting heard from Richmond town manger Colin Grant, who urged councillors to wait for the results of a study into the effect of the superstore on trade in Richmond.

Councillor Jane Parlour was one of four planning committee members who voted against the extension.

"What we are seeing here is a growth by stealth of the supermarket," she said.

But committee vice-chairman Pat Middlemiss spoke in favour of the plans, saying the bigger store would attract more visitors.

"If we develop this correctly, we can encourage people to come to Catterick and then move on to Richmond," said the councillor.

The meeting heard that if the council blocked the plan, or waited for the survey, the firm could appeal - a move which would cost the authority money.

The extension will mean extra floorspace for goods, a small caf, more parking spaces and 70 new jobs.