Saltash is set to benefit from half a million pounds 'cashback' from the development of two supermarkets in the town – with the prospect of more to come.

A new group consisting of town and county councillors, together with representatives of the Saltash Gateway Community Interest Company (CIC) is working with officers from Cornwall Council to decide on the best way of spending the £500,000 bonus, which is the result of recent developments by Waitrose and Lidl.

As a condition of gaining planning consent in Saltash they accepted agreements which required them to make substantial cash contributions towards the town's regeneration.

Mayor Adam Killeya explained that the majority of the money can only be used for projects to regenerate the town centre, while part of the rest can also be used on projects of community benefit. 'To ensure that this money is spent properly and according to the agreements signed, a special group has been set up consisting of the four Cornwall councillors for Saltash, two town council representatives, and two Saltash Gateway CIC representatives,' he said.

The group is hoping there could be more to come if Tesco is successful in its bid for planning consent to develop a site adjoining Lidl on Gibson Road.

Town and county councillor Colin Riches added: 'If we can spend the money on making Fore Street a pleasant place for people to come and shop it will benefit the town as a whole.'