Plans to build a second supermarket in the South Hams town of Kingsbridge have moved a step closer.

The Kingsbridge Gazette reported on Friday (September 14) that a notice announcing the imminent closure of Cookworthy Road Car Park has appeared.

The much-hyped second supermarket is expected to be built on Cookworthy Road Car Park.

Bayview Estates, who owns the site, told the Gazette that the project was heading in the right direction.

"It's five months since we were granted outline planning permission and since then we have been involved in negotiations sorting out the relocation of Western Power," said Justin Martyn-Smith, of Bayview Estates.

He added that a planning application had been submitted in August to build a new depot for Western Power at Torr Quarry, which is located just outside the town.

Justin Martyn-Smith, Bayview Estates: "The supermarket should take around nine months to build. We are aiming to open it in the summer of 2008."

This application is currently being considered, according to Martyn-Smith.

The Gazette claims that the present site of Western Power will become a new long stay car park for about 70 vehicles.

"We hope to be on the site by the end of the year," Martyn-Smith told the Gazette.

"The supermarket should take around nine months to build. We are aiming to open it in the summer of 2008.

"We have not been able to progress negotiations with the operator due to the delays in sorting out the Western Power relocation and finalising contracts.

"The past five months have been frustrating as we haven't made much progress with the store itself. But once we are on the site things should move quickly."

Reports have linked UK supermarket giants Tesco and Waitrose with a move into Kingsbridge.

Cookworthy Road Car Park is currently leased to the South Hams District Council by Bayview Estates.

But this lease runs out at the end of next month.

Somerfield currently operate the only supermarket in the town, but their monopoly appears as though it is coming to an end.