SAINSBURY'S plans to build a store and 227 space car park in Otley look set to be given planning permission today - more than two years after a detailed plan was originally submitted.

The supermarket, which will be built on Bondgate, is recommended for conditional approval at today's Leeds City Council's Development Control Panel West meeting.

If approved, the store, which is about the same size of Safeways in Westgate, will mean the demolition and relocation of Otley Fire Station, the Otley centre of Park Lane College, and the abbatoir.

Service vehicles will gain access via Station Road, while customers will get to the store both by car and on foot from Bondgate.

A report to today's meeting at Leeds Civic Hall says alternative accommodation will have to be found for the fire station before work starts on the store.

The scheme, which has the support of Otley Town Council, has received objections from eight residents.

Objectors believe smaller shops in the town will suffer and that there will be an unacceptable increase in traffic on Bondgate and Burras Lane.

Supporters of the scheme say people will be drawn into the town and that the town's other supermarkets will benefit from the competition.

Panel members will be told that traffic is expected to increase with the new store but it is considered the roads will be able to cope.

The council's highways department has recommended a number of highways improvements including adjustments to the Station Road/Burras Lane junction.

Sainsbury's originally submitted a plan for a 20,000 square foot store in Otley in September, 1999.

It was withdrawn about a year later and re-submitted in March this year.

The meeting of the Development Control Panel West at Leeds Civic Hall is due to start at 1.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend and listen to the proceedings during the meeting, but will not be able to speak.

Panel members and planning officers are due to make a site visit in Otley from 10.15am.