Superstore scheme for King's Lynn backed

A superstore scheme which aims to bring £41m of investment to Norfolk, has been approved by a council.

Sainsbury's has been given the go-ahead for the store in Hardwick, King's Lynn.

As part of the scheme Pinguin Foods is building a £7m extension to its frozen vegetable processing plant on the site with a new link road also being built.

The scheme, backed by the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, safeguards 225 jobs at Pinguin Foods UK.

The scheme, which will create 500 new jobs at the store, was put forward by Sainsbury's and Norfolk-based development partner Morston Assets.

The plans will now go to the secretary of state to consider whether they have to be called in or whether the local authority's decision can stand.

An application by Tesco to develop the site round the old Campbell's Tower in King's Lynn, has been rejected.

Pinguin said earlier that its current factory, which employs 340 people, needed upgrading and a new expanded production area was required.

Robert Oxley, Sainsbury's regional development executive, said: "Sainsbury's and Morston Assets can now start delivering the proposals, meaning more jobs, better transport, a new supermarket and improved infrastructure for King's Lynn.

"We plan to have the store open in 2012."

Stuart Robinson, marketing and innovations manager for Pinguin Foods, said the decision should establish King's Lynn as the main base for the firm in the UK.