TESCO, which hopes to build a new supermarket to include a housing development at Looe, has issued a statement to say it is 'very encouraged' by the positive public feedback from the recent consultation.

Eighty per cent of those who left written comments stated they were in favour of the development of a Tesco supermarket, while 13 per cent said they were not and seven per cent were not sure.

More than 700 people attended the exhibition of plans over two days at Looe Community Academy, which also included representatives from developers Mercian, and the Devon and Cornwall Housing Association.

Emma Heesom, corporate relations manager for Tesco, said: 'I am delighted that our plans received such overwhelming support.

'The residents of Looe told us that they want to be able to do a weekly shop locally and not have to do a 20- or 30-mile round trip. In addition, people felt that being able to do their supermarket shop locally would encourage them to use local shops and services such as the post office and pharmacies.

'There was also a strong welcome and interest in the 180 new jobs to be created in the store, particularly that they would be all-year-round jobs.

'I would like to thank people for their feedback which will influence the final plans to be submitted to Cornwall Council in the spring.'

Chris Towers, managing director of Mercian, said: 'Support for the new housing is overwhelming. I heard firsthand from so many people the very clear need and demand for additional affordable housing in an area where so many properties are not within the reach of local people.'

Comments left by visitors to the exhibition regarding the housing element of the development resulted in 76.23 per cent in favour and 19.67 per cent against.

Visitors were also asked to comment where they shopped, with Liskeard being the top choice at 229. Other figures were: Bodmin 55; Saltash 29; internet 25; Looe (as part of a wider shopping pattern including other towns) 24; Plymouth 23; Looe only 13; St Austell ten; and Callington six.