EXPANSION plans for Oxted's biggest supermarket will create dozens of new jobs.
Morrisons revealed proposals to increase the size of its store off East Hill by more than 50 per cent, together with 20 extra parking spaces.
The details, which have drawn a mixed reaction locally, have emerged in a newly lodged planning application by the supermarket giant.
It involves the superstore expanding over its service yard and over a portion of the existing car park, whilst enlarging the car park to 333 spaces.
Ed Kemsley, Morrisons' planning agent, said 30 extra jobs "across a range of trades" would be created if the plan gets the go-ahead from Tandridge District Council.
Arguing the current store is congested and overcrowded at times, Mr Kemsley said: "Additional floorspace and improvements are urgently required."
He added: "Measures will be introduced to rigidly enforce the three-hour [free] parking limit in Morrisons car park.
"It is likely that a control system would utilise automatic number plate recognition cameras."
Following an exhibition of the plans held in store, 180 customers backed the scheme with only 12 opposed, said Mr Kemsley.
Oxted district councillor Martin Fisher broadly welcomed the expansion plans.
He said: "In principle, it should be good for Oxted. But if they strictly enforce their parking policy, it could mean many cars parking somewhere else in town."
Paul Dashwood, chairman of Oxted Chamber of Commerce, said: "It's encouraging that Morrisons are confident Oxted will continue as a thriving location and are willing to invest here."
But he said he was concerned if a larger Morrisons meant it would start selling more homeware, electrical goods or clothing, which could impact on existing businesses.
Bruce McIntosh, whose East Hill home is one of the nearest properties to Morrisons, said: "The development is too close and too high to the rear of my property."
It would cause more pollution, noise and invasion of privacy, he added.
Another resident, Isobelle Compton who lives in a flat on East Hill, said: "I would be all for it if I didn't live right next to it.
"People from Godstone, Bletchingley and Westerham will be likely to choose to do their shopping in Oxted if Morrisons expanded, as opposed to going to somewhere like Redhill."
