The company plans to demolish the existing store, which was built in 1971, and build a new one further back from Keighley Road which is at least half as big again.

The Bradford-based retailer has acquired more property nearby to create parking space for nearly 300 cars and plans to demolish two houses.

It will also build a new petrol station and a roundabout at the entrance to the site.

"The existing store is an important shopping facility for the local community and the wider area," said the firm's planning consultants, Alyn Nicholls.

"The proposals will mean a significant investment by Morrisons to improve the quality of the store making it more pleasant and convenient, and also increasing the range of goods available."

About 150 people currently work at Morrisons and the consultants estimate that there will be about 100 extra full-time and 120 extra part-time jobs.

The new store will be built of stone and high performance cladding and glass.

The site includes Illingworth Hall Farm, part of which is a listed.

A similar supermarket expansion plan was approved by Calderdale Council in 2002 but it was shelved while the company tested options for building a new £15 million store in fields on the opposite side of Keighley Road.

That was linked to a scheme to replace or upgrade sports facilities in other parts of Illingworth and Ovenden Park, the home of Halifax Rugby Union Club.

But the plans were eventually rejected because of the impact on the green belt.

Morrisons recently bought half-an-acre of land at the junction of Furness Avenue and Furness Drive from Calderdale Council and offered to buy some houses, gardens and outbuildings from nearby owners, fuelling speculation that it might be planning an altogether much bigger development.

The council is expected to determine the latest plan by the beginning of August.

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