SUPERMARKET chain Booths has announced this week it will start work on its Settle foodstore early in the new year.

The purpose-built supermarket is scheduled to open in time for Christmas 2001.

Booths' 10 year search for a site in Settle has been controversial, from when it submitted a bid to buy and build on North Ribblesdale Rugby Club's second team pitch, to its battle with Yorkshire Co-operatives and Safeway, dubbed "store wars".

In 1997 three supermarket companies plus local businessman Stan Jordan were trying for four different sites in the North Craven market town at the same time. In all, Booths has submitted three planning applications in its efforts to build a store in Settle.

The issue of a new primary school for Settle on Bond Lane field was brought into the equation and feelings ran high with the whole supermarket debate splitting the town. Eventually, in March 1998, Craven District Council's planning committee gave officers delegated authority to approve Booth's scheme using land on Sowarth Industrial Estate and Bond Lane field. Recently negotiations over the planning permission were completed.

Booths purchase of part of Bond Lane field from North Yorkshire County Council means the authority can use the proceeds to build a much-needed new primary school for the town on Bond Lane.

This week, Settle was waiting for news from the county council about the new school, and the officer in charge of the project at County Hall was unavailable for comment.

The new store will bring nearly 100 full-time and part-time jobs to the area as well as the employment generated during the construction.

Booths says it will also establish a retail anchor in the town that will strengthen local trade and give a real choice for residents to carry out their shopping locally instead of having to travel long distances to adjoining towns.

As part of the planning agreement, a new children's playground will be built prior to any store construction beginning, a new footpath will connect Kirkgate and Station Road, and residents' car parking will be provided.

In addition, the store car park will act as a further car park for shoppers visiting the town.

At 15,000 square feet, Settle Booths will be slightly smaller than the company's recent new stores and there will be parking for 200 cars. A Booths spokesman said detailed design work was now under way with a view to starting construction on the main store building itself in March 2001 following completion of the playground.

The planning agreement also specifies that the supermarket will not include a teashop, a hot food counter, in-store bakery or sell newspapers and magazines.

Graham Booth, director for Booths Supermarkets said: "After years of negotiation we are very happy to be finally going ahead. We have set a very tight schedule for the build so local residents will not have long to wait."

Booths Supermarkets was founded in Blackpool in 1847 by Edwin Henry Booth.

The regional chain now has 24 stores throughout the North West with its Kirkby Lonsdale store due to open on November 30.

Buying and distribution director David Benson told the Herald: "Booths has a policy of sourcing local products wherever it can. This is because we believe the region produces some of the best and freshest food money can buy because it has literally travelled only a few miles to reach our shelves"

Regional suppliers to Booths include fresh milk from Arla Foods Plc (formerly MD Foods) in Settle, Wensleydale Dairy Products, Black Sheep Brewery and Whitaker's Chocolates in Skipton.