A SUPERMARKET expected to create up to 250 jobs, earmarked for the outskirts of Haddington, is no closer to being built – despite an access road being created.

Sainsbury’s was given planning permission to build a supermarket at the Gateside site, on the town’s western edge, just over two years ago.

However, progress at the site has been slow, despite it being initially hoped that the supermarket would open its doors before Christmas 2013.

Pat Lemmon, community councillor, asked councillors if they knew if the store was any closer to being built.

However, ward councillors Tom Trotter, John McMillan and Ludovic Broun-Lindsay could offer little information as to when work would start.

East Lothian Council’s planning committee unanimously granted planning permission in March 2013 after a six-year battle for a new supermarket in the town.

At that time, it was said up to 250 full-time and part-time jobs would be created by the development at Gateside West, which was to include a petrol station.

The grocery market has been undergoing significant change in recent years, with customers making more frequent trips and discount retailers flourishing.

Similarly, there has been an increase in online shopping.

A spokesman for the supermarket giant, whose nearest store is in Dalkeith, said: “We are continuing to review the future of our Haddington site and will update the local community once we are in a position to do.”