PLANS for a supermarket in Easingwold have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Hambleton Council’s planning committee yesterday voted to approve plans by developers Jomast for a 3,490 sq m food store, petrol station and health unit in York Road.

The plans were supported by Easingwold Town Council, which was keen to see a new petrol station open in the town.

It was also supported by Hambleton council planning officials, who said a supermarket in the town would stop people driving to Thirsk, Boroughbridge or Clifton Moor for their food shopping and would boost the town’s economy.

Speaking before the meeting, Jomast’s development director, Mark Hearld, said it would be months before building work starts on the site.

With outline permission now in place they need to secure detailed planning permission, and sign a supermarket company up as operator for the site.