A STORE for the 21st century is how town mayor Neil Ockenden has described BordonÕs forthcoming Tesco store.
An in-house bakery, a coffee shop and a delicatessen are all features which have been included in the supermarket chainÕs detailed planning application, which has now been registered with district planners after a short delay.
A fresh round of public consultation has now begun after the store, which is destined for the Bordon Motors site on the High Street, was given outline planning permission last October by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, Stephen Byers.
It was granted after a lengthy wait, and a planning inquiry, because the application was against adopted planning policy.
At a meeting of Whitehill Town CouncilÕs planning and amenities committee on Monday, members expressed their joy that the store was coming to the town.
Features of the supermarket with which members were especially pleased were a clock face, which would be placed on the side of the store facing the A325, and a glass roof, which would allow light to enter the store and therefore make it very open.
Mr Ockenden said: ÒThe design is very innovative and so open - talk about a store for the 21st century.Ó
There have been no changes to the outline plans, which means the store will be 2,599 square metres with parking for up to 199 vehicles.
It will open seven days a week but will not have dry-cleaning facilities, a post office or an in-house pharmacy.
Tesco hopes that the application will be assessed and approved within a few months so that construction work can begin on the store before the end of the year.
The planning application is available for public viewing at the district councilÕs offices in the Forest Community Centre and at Penns Place in Petersfield.