PROPOSALS for a supermarket in Cottingham are still going ahead, despite there being no signs of a planning application.

The Mail revealed plans for a 45,000sq ft supermarket in the village, which would create 300 jobs, in October.

Developer Innovating Space originally said a planning application would be submitted in November.

However, director Simon Dixon said the application was now expected to be submitted by the end of March.

The delay comes because of changes made to the original proposals following public consultations last year.

Mr Dixon said: "We've taken on board residents' concerns from public consultations held last year and will be going back out to them with the changes in the next two to three weeks.

"We have tweaked the highways designs slightly.

"It is hoped a planning application will be submitted by the end of March."

The supermarket would be bigger than Morrisons in Beverley and a similar size to Waitrose in Willerby. It would include parking for 300 cars.

Some residents and businesses have expressed concern at the Station Road plans.

However, Mr Dixon believes it will increase trade in the village.

He told the Mail 90 per cent of residents shop outside the village for their weekly groceries and of the £22 million spent by local residents a year, only £2.1 million is spent in Cottingham.

As part of the plans, company Stoneledge and builders' merchants Boards, which is currently on the site, will be moved to an alternative site.

Mr Dixon said: "The development would be very positive for the town as it would regenerate a poor part of Cottingham.

"We are not tied up with anyone, but don't think it would be a struggle to find a supermarket interested in the space.

"I think getting more people to shop in the village will help other businesses."

Among the residents concerned is Colin Hoggarth, who has lived in the village for more than 30 years.

He said: "My main concern is the traffic. It could be like hell on earth for residents with an extra 1,000 cars going along the road.

"It is the wrong site in terms of access to the site.

"I also don't think Cottingham needs a supermarket. We are fairly self-sufficient with stores suiting community needs. All we need is a hardware store.

"I will be very interested to see the latest plans."

Mr Dixon said if everything goes to plan, a supermarket could be built by late 2013.