PLANS to transform a Southampton shopping precinct have been given the go-ahead by city bosses.

The ambitious multimillion pound project in Shirley which will include a Sainsbury's superstore is expected to be completed by autumn 2004.

Council chiefs approved the leasehold of the precinct at a meeting of the city council's Cabinet last night.

The scheme will see the community library expanded and a new housing office created, as well as revamps to remaining units in the area. A formal planning application is set to go before the city council next month.

Hundreds of people flocked to an exhibition detailing the proposals and most gave the thumbs up.

The new store will be built on 26,000 sq ft of land and will replace the current smaller store in Park Street. It will include customer toilets, a delicatessen and bakery counter and possibly fish and meat counters.

The store proposals, which were unveiled by the Daily Echo in October, follow more than three years of talks between developers and the council.

Members went into private session to discuss details of the scheme. In the report presented to Cabinet, members were told how the public wished to retain a number of small retail

businesses on the parade.

The report said: "Keeping the post office and chemist was always intended but better quality units will be provided to attract good quality tenants."

Speaking after the meeting, council leader June Bridle said the decision had received unanimous support from the Cabinet.

She said: "We are keen to have a new housing office and library in the precinct as well. At the moment it looks pretty drab and there are more pigeons than people.

"It is a major change for the area but it is a big vote of confidence for the area from Sainsbury's.

"People in Shirley can certainly benefit from it. The financial deal for the council is also very good."