Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has finally been given permission to build a supermarket in St John's, Worcester, as part of a £6.6 million scheme that will transform the area.

The store will be built on the site of the St John's Leisure Centre in Swanpool Walk, which will be rebuilt on land next to nearby Christopher Whitehead Language College.

The tennis courts next to the sports centre will also form part of the new store.

The decision to allow Sainsbury's to go ahead with its plans marks the culmination of the eight-year St John's supermarket saga.

The grocery giant has already had two proposals rejected, while arch-rival Tesco failed to strike a deal which would have seen it take over the Christopher Whitehead site and pay for a brand-new school.

Sainsbury's successful bid has been welcomed by council chiefs, who say it will breathe new life into the area. Residents have also given their approval, although some have voiced concerns about traffic.

How Sainsbury's is set to transform St John'sA NEW Sainsbury's supermarket will finally be built in St John's as part of a huge £6.6 million scheme to transform the area.

The food giant, which first applied for a superstore in 1999, will also fund a new sports centre and youth club, as well as two all-weather pitches for Christopher Whitehead Language College.

Coun Simon Geraghty, leader of the city council, said: "This will mean the renaissance and regeneration of St John's, and hopefully it will bring many more people into the west of the city.

"It's win-win for the city, the county, all residents of Worcester and our young people. I strongly believe it will revitalise St John's, as I'm sure people visiting Sainsbury's will go to other shops in that area too."

The sports centre will be used by both the public and children at the school.

St John's Tennis Club, a car park and the existing sports centre in Swanpool Walk will be demolished to make way for the new store.

Land in Malvern Road next to the school will be used for the construction for the new sports centre, while the youth club will be placed directly behind it.

The sports centre will incorporate a sports halls, fitness suite, dance studio, multi-purpose room and all weather pitch.

The huge scheme, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year, will create 150 jobs.

Both the city and county council have been working on a deal with the supermarket giant, as they own the land.

Planning permission will be submitted this summer before work starts in the school summer holidays.

Worcestershire County Council leader Dr George Lord said: "The school will get the facilities it needs, the community get new facilities, and Sainsbury's get the food store - everyone benefits."

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's said: "As we move forward with the timetable for the site we will keep everyone posted."

St John's Tennis Club will not have its lease renewed, allowing the demolition to take place.

The news is a blow to Tesco, which wanted to build a supermarket of its own by finding a new home for the school.

Neil Morris, head teacher at Christopher Whitehead School, said: "The community is going to get a new sports hall. I just hope the St John's community are not forgotten in all of this. Change is never a comfortable feeling but it seems to be a move forward rather than just having a derelict piece of land left to rack and ruin. Builders and children don't mix but I hope it goes really well."

Tesco was unavailable for comment.

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Countdown to a new storeThe story so far1999: Sainsbury's first tries to get permission to build a supermarket on the site, but its proposal is rejected.2002: Sainsbury's has planning permission to build a store in Swanpool Walk rejected for the second time by the city council, but after it appeals, a Government planning inspector says there is a real need for a food store in St John's and the proposal is approved in principle.2003: Tesco has an application to build a supermarket in Malvern Road in place of Christopher Whitehead school rejected.2004: A feasibility study by the county council reveals the school is better off staying at its current site, scuppering Tesco's hopes.2005: The Government pledges £12 million to help relocate the school, so it can be replaced with a Tesco store, but the county council fails to promise £3 million towards it to secure a deal.2007: After planning permission for Sainsbury's is automatically renewed in June 2006, the county and city council announce a deal has been struck.What happens nextJuly 2007: Final planning permission is expected to be submitted by Sainsbury's.August 2007: Work will start on the school pitches to minimise disruption to Christopher Whitehead.Winter 2007: Work on building the community sports centre and youth club is expected to begin.2008: The new Sainsbury's supermarket is expected to be constructed on the Swanpool Walk site. Sainsbury's in St John's: What you sayIan Narraway, aged 51, owns I J Narraway Butcher in St John's: "I've got mixed feelings about it. Obviously you are always concerned about your business, but we have quite a good business with regular trade and we should survive."Amy Riley, aged 23, run Daddys Diner, in St John's, with her sister Charlotte. "It's good in one way because it will bring more people to St John's and bring more jobs. The traffic will be the only problem. I think. It's bad enough already."John Snowdon, aged 83, of Middle Road, St John's: "I think it's a really good idea. It will be good for the area as there's only one supermarket. The sports centre will be a good idea, if it has better facilities than the one that's there, which is actually pretty good."Pat Gittus, aged 60, of Lower Wick, Worcester: "I wish they hadn't got permission. We've got perfectly good small shops and a Co-op and we don't need one. It will just add to the traffic. I am sure the sports centre will be very useful, though."John Crawford, aged 63, of Orchard Close, Rushwick, near Worcester: "I don't think we need any more supermarkets anyway. We've got plenty as it is. The one they had in the Lychgate was quite useful but they have shut that."