MARKS & Spencer has been given the go-ahead to proceed with their massive new flagship store at Ellesmere Port.
The new store would be the company's largest development in the UK outside London, and create around 350 jobs.
Plans for the 150,000 square feet superstore near Cheshire Oaks were the subject of a public enquiry in June.
The company’s planning application was called in by the Government following objections from several neighbouring authorities, including Liverpool and the former Chester City and Cheshire County Councils.
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government John Denham MP has now given permission for the project to proceed.
The leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Mike Jones, said: “This is wonderful news for Ellesmere Port – and the whole region.
He said the scheme was “a vital part of the regeneration of Ellesmere Port”, and M&S had pledged it would not affect their other stores nearby.
Cllr Jones added: “We believe that many of those people will want to visit Chester as well and that the city will actually benefit from the presence of the only M & S store of its type outside London.”
The Cheshire Oaks store will be the largest new store built by Marks & Spencer for more than 10 years.
