WILL it be third time lucky for supermarket giant Tesco after a fresh planning application was submitted to develop a site in Brighton Hill?

As previously reported by The Gazette, the company anno-unced plans for a revised proposal for the development of the former Smiths Industries site, on The Harrow Way, Basingstoke, in July.

In July 2012, Tesco was refused planning permission to build a 63,000sq ft store at the site, and an appeal against the decision by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council was dismissed last year by the Government’s planning inspectorate following a seven-day planning inquiry held in February.

A Government planning inspector dismissed the appeal because of the impact on nearby shops, including Asda, at Brighton Hill District Centre.

In September, about 400 people attended a public exhibition held by the supermarket to showcase the plans to local residents and businesses.

And the company will be hoping that it is third time lucky after submitting the new application, which will see a smaller store, 344 car parking spaces and 48 one, two and three-bedroom homes.

As a result of the reduction in the size of the store, a pharmacy, post office, opticians and travel agent will not be provided as originally planned.

However, Tesco has announced that it will still provide £5million of investment into the local road network which will include synchronised signals at the Brighton Hill roundabout to control traffic, creating pedestrian access and cycle paths.

The scheme is also set to create 200 new part-time and full-time jobs.

Jack Pearson, Tesco’s regional corporate affairs manager, said: “Our application will re-generate a valuable brownfield site which has stood vacant for a number of years, by building much-needed new homes and a Tesco that will focus on our core food and grocery ranges.

“Our plans will also deliver a real boost to employment, with more than 200 full and part-time positions – targeted at local people – as well as job creation during store construction.”

The council is expected to make a decision in early 2015.