SAINSBURY's has won permission to open a late-night supermarket in Bourne End.

Plans for a new store and 14 flats at the end of The Parade were approved by Wycombe District Council in 2008, but the opening hours were restricted to a 7pm close.

Work is yet to start but the store can now stay open until 10pm. The hours that deliveries can take place have also increased with vans able to enter the site on Sundays.

The new store and flats will cover the area of Parade Court, Y Not on Marlow Road, numbers 2 – 10 on Marlow Road and Billinghurst Builders Yard.

Meanwhile Tesco said they will 'review' plans to demolish the old police house and set up an Express shop in The Parade.

The firm put in an application in May but Wycombe District Council said it is still “pending consideration”. The target date for determination was in July last year and no explanation has been given for the delay.

A previous application from Tesco was refused because it was thought there were already enough supermarkets in the village.

Some villagers believe the council's planning department is waiting to see whether Sainsbury's goes ahead and opens its store.

Jim Penfold, chairman of Bourne End Residents Association, said opposition to the new Tesco store is as strong as ever.

The Co-operative Group recently took over Somerfield and a spokesman said the company plans to keep both the Wakeman Road shop, as well and firm's store in the Parade, open.