SUPERMARKET giant Asda has announced building work will begin on a new store in Ipswich within three months.

SUPERMARKET giant Asda today confirmed that building work will begin on a new store in Ipswich within three months - and it should be open this time next year.

The project to build a news store on Stoke Park has suffered numerous setbacks and the company withdrew from the site in May last year when its residential partner pulled out of the scheme - but now the supermarket operator aims to open by autumn 2009.

No residential developers have come forward to deliver the commercial and residential units which comprised part of the proposed mixed-use development but after pressure from local residents, their representatives and Ipswich Borough Council, Asda has announced that it will go back and build the store and car park.

Tom McGarry, Property Communications Manager, said: “We were extremely disappointed when our original development partner pulled out of the scheme, leaving us to make the regrettable decision to move off site to attract new investment and sort out planning issues.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and now want to get on with delivering a fantastic new store to the local community.”

The new development was drawn up in 2005 but setbacks lead to anxiety among people living near a deserted building site and meant restricted access to the local doctors' surgery.

Ipswich MP, Chris Mole, supported Asda's commitment to return to Stoke Park and build the store.

He said: “I have made enquiries on behalf of several constituents with Asda, and I know that Asda was always keen to see through its original plans to build a supermarket in south-west Ipswich.

“I also welcome the estimates that this construction will provide 300 full and part-time jobs to the people of Ipswich.”

Paul West, borough councillor for Stoke Park, was also pleased that builders will be on site within three months to re-start work on the long-awaited local store.

He said: “We are all delighted that the store in Stoke Park has finally been given the go-ahead after eighteen long months of deadlock.

“It will be a huge relief to local people who had begun to think that Stoke Park would be saddled with a permanent eye-sore.

“The news will also be welcomed by many elderly residents who rely on there being a footway from Stoke Park to the doctor's surgery.”

Do you live in Stoke Park? Will the new store be an asset to the area? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

What customers can expect from the new store:

Asda expects to start construction again in January.

The store will have a 2,500 square metre sales area providing the full ASDA food and non-food range, including George clothing.

There will be 229 car park spaces and the new store will create 300 full and part time jobs.