Developer Maton Invest-ments co-director James Sexton said the store would now be 4000-square metres, larger than the initial plan of 3500sqm.

Mr Sexton said they hoped to see the reworked plans back from Harvey Norman architects Giles Tribe next week, which would show the opportunity for a bigger store.

“We’re confident in the growth in Murray Bridge,” he said.

Mr Sexton said the planning stage had taken longer than anticipated, but everything was still on track for construction on the store to start mid-year.

He said the developer aimed to open the business before Easter next year.

The Harvey Norman store will be just part of a homemaker centre, situated beside the Murray Bridge council depot on Old Swanport Road.

Mr Sexton said there had been a lot of interest from other potential retailers for the centre, equivalent to 10,000sqm of stores, which equated to about eight shops.

“Some are large, some are small so there’s quite a range there,” he said. Maton Investments is also working with architects Brown Falconer, who were overseeing the centre’s planning.

“It’s going to be quite a good looking building, with plenty of parking,” Mr Sexton said.

“We’re getting preliminary costings at the moment.”

Mr Sexton said tenders for the contruction phase would be out in about six weeks.