A MEETING to decide controversial plans for a Tesco store in Manningtree will take place at larger venue to meet demand.

The next meeting of Tendring Council's planning committee, on July 26, will take place at Clacton Town Hall, instead of Weeley.

The start time of the meeting is also being brought forward to 6pm, instead of 7pm. All future meeting will also take place at the earlier time.

Carlo Guglielmi, cabinet member for planning, said the venue has been changed because the Tesco application is on the agenda.

He said: “We wanted to make sure that we would be able to accommodate all those people who may be interested in this application and want to attend.

“The Princes Theatre is able to seat many more people than the Weeley Council Chamber.”

Tesco first submitted plans for a store in Station Road three years ago, but the blueprints were turned down in May last year on traffic and design issues.

The new plan includes a new design and a smaller floorspace.

Planning meetings will then revert back to the Weeley Council offices for future meetings.

Tendring Council said the time has been changed to 6pm so that councillors can go from site meetings in the afternoon into the formal meeting.