A LEGAL loophole has given developers of a multimillion pound superstore in Manninhgtree an extra year to build it.

Work on the Tesco store in Station Road is expected to start in February.

The year extension is on planning permission granted by Tendring Council in 2011, which would have required the supermarket giants to start work by November 15.

But under legislation brought in during 2004 the company has to start work before November, 2015.

The extension has been allowed because of delays when rival Manningtree Co-op launched a judicial review over the decision to give the scheme the go ahead. 

A Tesco spokesman said: “We are pleased to have planning permission for a new store in Manningtree and are really grateful for the support we’ve received in the past for our plans.

"We will be undertaking some works to tidy up the site in the Spring of next year.

"This will include demolishing the derelict buildings, cutting back any overgrown vegetation, and some landscaping.

"In the meantime we will be erecting hoardings around the perimeter of the site in the next few weeks to keep it safe and secure."