REVISED plans for the new Tesco superstore and associated works on the outskirts of Crediton were overwhelmingly approved by Mid Devon District Council's planning committee this month.

Work on the new store began recently but the company announced earlier that it wished to alter the design to reduce the carbon footprint and ecological impact of the store.

The main changes involve replacement of the steel frame with a timber one, altered roof design so that more natural light is available, and the installation of a Combined Heat and Power plant and a rainwater harvesting system.

The company claim that the new design will achieve a 37 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.

Crediton Councillor David Nation (Liberal Democrat) said that, whilst the planned supermarket was controversial, he was sure all would welcome the environmental improvements.

Planners had explained that the committee were unable to re-visit policy decisions that had been made when the original application had been considered because permission had already been given in respect of that.

However, Cllr Nation sought clarification of a number of the conditions originally applied and asked for and was given a "guarantee" that all conditions originally agreed after lengthy debate, were to remain, unless they "had been overtaken by events or were no longer applicable because of the changed design."

Cllr Nation said he was particularly concerned about light pollution of the night sky, safe access to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists and notices to encourage shoppers to leave their cars at the Tesco car park whilst visiting the town centre.

He also asked planning officers to respond to a number of concerns raised by Crediton Town Council but was told that the planning authority did not have powers to insist that the store ran a home delivery service from Crediton or took part in the town's "Plastic bag-free" initiative.

Because the original grass roof had been abandoned, it was agreed that the local councillors should agree what colour green the new roof material should be, rather than grey.