Tesco has revived its controversial plans to build a superstore on stilts.

A public consultation at the Heritage Centre showed the chain’s plans to relocate its Hibel Road store to new premises on Black Lane and become a much bigger Tesco Extra, possibly creating 200 jobs.

The new store, based at the site of Barracks Mill, would be built on stilts to maximise the amount of car parking spaces, reviving an idea originally suggested by Tesco in November 2008.

The supermarket has also applied to extend planning permission for a large roundabout on the Silk Road, which was granted in 2008 but is due to expire this week.

Tesco’s corporate affairs manager Matthew Magee said: "It was good to be able to reassure people that we are committed to investing in Macclesfield and that we are keen to ensure our proposals benefit the whole town. We will be continuing to talk to local people and groups to make sure we get our proposals absolutely right for the town."

Coun Gill Boston said: "I’m looking forward to finding out the results of the consultation. If (the store) is going to be seen from 10 miles down the road then we need to talk about that."

Macclesfield MP David Rutley said: "It’s vitally important that Tesco explains to the people of Macclesfield how a store that size will help with the regeneration of the town centre, which is our biggest priority."