PLANS to extend Sainsbury's supermarket by a fifth have been given the green light on condition Redditch Council is fully consulted on any changes to the nearby traffic island.

The planning committee agreed the Abbey Retail Park store could be extended to accommodate a wider range of non-food goods such as electrical goods and books last Tuesday night.

Permission has also been granted for the creation of a new three-storey car park.

Committee chairman Councillor Nigel Hicks said his fellow members were happy with the application.

"I think it will be a good thing," he said.

"However, one of the conditions of agreeing to the application was that any changes which need to be made to the Sainsbury's island receive the full consultation of the planning committee."

The island on the A441 Alvechurch Highway was the source of much controversy two and a half years ago when new lane markings caused huge tailbacks.

"We do not want a repeat of what happened when the Highways Partnership Unit changed the road markings on that island.

''That was a real mess and this time we want full consultation," said Mr Hicks.