Guildford in Surrey will receive its first Waitrose store for 30 years after Guildford Borough Council's planning committee approved plans for the 21,000 sq ft foodstore, along with a new community centre, 168-space car park and 48 new homes at the Bellerby Theatre site.
Waitrose beat off competition from a number of other retailers to develop a supermarket on the site of the former North Place Day Centre and accommodation at Victoria Court which was demolished to make way for a proposed new store bounded by York Road, Leapale Lane, College Road and Haydon Place.
Roland Bohn of Waitrose said: "Not only will this proposal deliver a comprehensive foodstore, it will also provide 48 quality homes and a new community centre with upgraded facilities."
All being well, construction is expected to get underway in 2013 with the view to opening the store in 2015.
However, due to the size of the project, the plans will have to be referred to the secretary of state for formal approval, include demolishing the Bellerby Theatre, Live and Let Live pub and the community centre.
According to Waitrose, around 1,000 local residents were consulted at an exhibition held earlier this year with 87% of people expressing support for the planned scheme.
Nigel Keen, Waitrose director of development, told the press: "This is a great opportunity to revitalise a largely derelict site with a much needed food store in the town centre as well as providing quality new homes and a brand new community centre with upgraded facilities."