PLANS for a third Tesco store in Exmouth will not need planning permission – so town planners will not get the chance to scrutinise them.

PLANS for a third Tesco store in Exmouth will not need planning permission - so town planners will not get the chance to scrutinise them.

Two weeks ago, the Journal revealed that, after months of speculation, the supermarket giant is planning to open Exmouth's second Tesco Express at 4-6 Rolle Street - which is set to be open seven days a week from 6am to 11pm.

In a case of history repeating, the site will revert back to a supermarket - previously it was the Jobcentre which has remained empty since March 2008, and before that Gateway and International Stores.

However, the new store, which will create between 20 and 30 jobs, is unlikely to require planning permission for change of use and, therefore, not be scrutinised by members of the town's planning committee before being rubberstamped by district planners.

A spokesperson for East Devon District Council said that, because the site was most recently used as a Jobcentre, it retained its A2 categorisation in planning law, to provide 'financial and professional' services.

And if the site was then used for shop use, classed as A1, an application is not required - Tesco would only have to seek 'guidance' from EDDC planning officers.

He said: "In principle, we have no objection to the premises being used for retail purposes due to the previous classification of the site."

Although, because of confidentiality, EDDC could not confirm whether they had been in discussions with Tesco, he did confirm they had put in a licensing application to sell alcohol.

The application calls for the selling of alcohol from Monday to Sunday, off the premises, from 6am to 11pm.

The public have until September 22 to make representations to the district council and it is likely the application will be determined at the Licensing and Enforcement Sub Committee at the end of the month.

If successful, it would become the second store, after Londis, to sell alcohol late at night in The Strand area.