​Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has been granted permission to open its fifth store in Bath, with approval of a new scheme at Odd Down.

Councillors yesterday voted in favour of the development on a six-acre plot of land between St Martin’s Primary School and Three Ways School.

However, members of the development control committee were split, with half of them voting against permission on the grounds that it did not comply with all of conditions of the local plan - including the provision of a community facility.

Chairman Councillor Les Kew (Con, High Littleton) used his deciding vote to approve the store, which will be of a similar size to Morrisons on London Road, in principle.

Formal planning permission will be delegated to officers to give after detailed talks with the applicant.

The store, which will be accompanied by a 258-space car park, is part of a wider scheme, which will later see the erection of a care home along with retirement housing.

An original application included plans for a parade of shops, a sports hall and a clubhouse but were dropped following an exhibition outlining the proposals to local people last year.

In November bosses at Odd Down Developments said they would instead be working with existing sports clubs at Odd Down to help them improve facilities.

At the meeting Bruno Moore, who works for Sainsbury’s, said they had been planning the project for the last 18 months and had worked hard to keep the community involved.

He said: “The scheme is a good balance between policy considerations and something that is economical viable and deliverable.

“The store itself responds to needs, which the council itself identified for the south of Bath.

“And the consultation period will not finish here - we will continue to consult with stakeholders, particularly local schools.”

But others did not share his enthusiasm for the scheme.

Councillor David Bellotti (Lib Dem, Lyncombe) said he was not against a supermarket at the spot, but was disappointed with the plans which had been presented before him.

He said: “I have no difficulty having a supermarket at this site but I had very much hoped it would not be as big as this.

“There is very little I can find in the end that I like about it, when before I was not against it.”

Councillor Roger Symonds (Lib Dem, Combe Down) echoed his concerns about the development and expressed worries about traffic problems in an area which is already highly congested.

He also argued that the development did not fit with the local plan with its failure to provide a community facility or playing area for the children.

Councillor Carol Paradise (Lib Dem, Kingsmead) who also objected, added: “To Tarmac over green fields in this day and age is unforgivable.

“Especially when it could be used as gardens for children to play on.”

Some of the land being used is former playing fields sold by Hayesfield School.