A SUPERMARKET has defended its consultation process following criticism that nearby residents were omitted from the process.

Sainsbury's has urged people living close to its Victoria Road, Darlington, store to voiceany concerns before it is too late.

Plans for a £16m redevelopment of the site could be submitted within weeks, and a final consultation is underway within the store itself.

Leaflets describing the plans and results of an earlier public consultation have been sent to 5,000 homes in the vicinity.

The plans are to extend the existing store, creating a mezzanine floor, and the construction of a petrol station, a two level car park with 120 spaces, a new customer restaurant, and new access and exit routes onto Victoria Road.

It is estimated the new store would create 120 new part-time and full-time jobs.

If approved, builders could be on site as early as next summer, with a view to completing the project by 2011.

But last week, local ward councillor Cyndi Hughes criticised the consultation process, which she claimed was directed at shoppers, not the residents who would be most affected by the scheme.

She said: "It was a self-selected sample - not residents in the nearby flats, the cottages that border the grounds, nor people who travel along Victoria Road who already find it extremely congested at key times of the day."

The plans had previously come under attack from local traders, concerned that the expanded shop would draw trade away from town centre retailers.

Christian Wakelin, regional development surveyor at Sainsbury's, said residents had already been asked for their views, and would continue to be involved in the process. He said any complaints, or any messages of support, would be submitted to Darlington Borough Council with the plans.

"We feel we have listened to what has been asked of us and have reflected that accordingly in the new plans," he said.

"We think the new store will be a key contibuter to the continued health and vitality of the town centre."

Mr Wakelin said traffic problems at Victoria Road would be soothed by the movement of the traffic lights, allowing cars to leave the site more freely.

The plans are available for all to see in Sainsbury's during normal store hours.