CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend a Kirkby Lonsdale supermarket have been given the go-ahead, despite opposition from local traders.

South Lakeland District Council approved the expansion of the town’s Booths store amid claims the process had been ‘undemocratic’.

Booths was granted permission to expand its Dodgson Croft Road store by 25 per cent in a move it says could bring possible new jobs to the town and improve services already on offer at the supermarket.

Members of the planning committee voted almost unanimously to allow the expansion in spite of strong opposition from Kirkby Lonsdale Chamber of Trade and the town council.

Two members of the chamber, Robin Sadler and Owain Hughes, spoke at the meeting, appealing to councillors to reject the application.

Afterwards, Mr Hughes said he felt the decision was unfair as many councillors expressed an enjoyment in using Booths and so this influenced their decision.

He said: “They completely bypassed our presentation. The general consensus was they enjoyed shopping there so they didn’t care about the effect on the town.

“They were totally dismissive of the opinions of the town, their decision was very undemocratic.”

Speaking at the committee meeting, Coun Brian Cooper said his wife often shopped in Booths.

“I do feel sorry for the little shops but this is progression we cannot stop,” he said.

The vice chairman for Kir-kby Lonsdale Town Council, Allan Muirhead, said he was very disappointed to hear the plan had gone ahead.

“If you accept Kirkby Lonsdale Chamber of Trade’s case this will have a serious effect on businesses in the town so it’s disappointing.”

Graham Booth, the property director for the Preston-based store chain, said: “We are delighted with the result of the planning committee meeting.

"We have enjoyed a great deal of support from the community in Kirkby Lonsdale over the last 10 years and look forward to making this investment in what has become one of our most popular stores.”