A DECISION about plans to extend a supermarket to make it one of Wearside's largest have been delayed for the second time.
Asda bosses are hoping to build a mezzanine floor within the existing store at Leechmere Road, Grangetown.
The development would create 35 jobs and an extra 15,500sq ft of space to sell non-food goods.
But concerns over traffic problems saw the
application deferred by Sunderland City Council's development control committee in April.
The application was deferred yet again at the meeting this week as members' concerns have still not been resolved.
Coun Phil Tye said: "We are for the development. It's a decent development, which could potentially create 35 jobs.
"We want the development to happen, but we don't want it to be at the disadvantage to people who live close by."
Coun Tye said councillors want the extra lorries bringing stock to use the Southern Radial Route rather than Leechmere Road, to avoid traffic congestion and noise for nearby residents. But he said Asda have so far not agreed to this.
Another major issue is staff parking.
Coun Tye said: "The customers, for whatever reason, won't park at the far end of the car park and they park on Leechmere Road because it's a shorter distance to walk.
"We want designated permit parking for staff at the far end so customers can park close to the store and not on Leechmere Road.
"Asda said they will consider that and they are going to work with the officers on the exact details."
The recommendation had been to approve the planning application.
Asda has carried out traffic surveys on Leechmere Road which concluded it could cope with the anticipated extra traffic.
A survey of the car park also indicated there are sufficient spaces to accommodate increased demand.
Asda has also proposed introducing a travel plan to reduce the number of employees relying on cars.
The store anticipates an extra five heavy goods vehicle deliveries a week between 8am and 9pm and says it would not have an impact on existing night-time deliveries.
Fellow development control committee member Coun Alan Wright said: "There are still concerns about parking on the road network and parking on the road, but all the councillors are basically in favour of the scheme.
"We just felt the information requested last time was not supplied in full."
The next development control meeting is scheduled for July 28, but an extraordinary meeting may have to be called.
