PLANS by a Worcestershire supermarket to extend into the premises of a neighbouring company have been put on hold over fears it could result in job losses in the town.

Proposals by Tesco to extend its Evesham store into the grounds of an adjacent company were given the go-ahead in August last year by Wychavon District Council's planning committee.

Members agreed the application to extend the store and relocate the car park and petrol station on to the grounds of Evesham Metal Pressings Ltd - EMP - as soon as the company relocates.

But the moves were made the subject to a section 106 agreement which stated EMP could only relocate within the town to ensure no job losses were made.

However, councillors at yesterday's planning committee meeting heard EMP had failed to secure its new premises at Vale Park, Evesham, and was applying to change the agreement.

Officers told members the company was proposing to change the agreement to a 10-mile radius, as it would allow greater flexibility in finding new premises.

"If the company relocates within a 10-mile radius of Evesham there should be no job losses," said planning officer Mark Lynch.

But Coun Roy Seabourne, speaking on behalf of Coun Mike Worrell, questioned whether the company could be made to stay within the proposed area.

"What Coun Worrell is worried about is if it goes outside the 10-mile radius it will loose jobs," he said.

Tim Belcher, of the council's legal department, said EMP would have to apply to the committee if it was unable to find somewhere suitable and extend its area again.

He added that under the conditions of the agreement, Tesco could not do any work to the site until EMP had found new premises.

"If EMP can't find anywhere and wants to change the agreement again it will have to come back and explain why it couldn't find premises within the 10-mile radius," he said.

Councillors agreed to approve the new 10-mile radius under the agreement.