Foodstuffs intends to rebuild the Redcliffs New World but says it will be a "long process" and is not giving any timeframes.

The supermarket was forced to close after it was badly damaged in the February earthquake last year. About 70 staff lost their jobs.

Foodstuffs, which owns the New World, Pak 'n Save and Four Square brands, has confirmed it has received resource consent from Christchurch City Council for the proposed rebuild of the New World in Redcliffs.

Foodstuffs South Island general manager property and development Roger Davidson said the company was in discussions with the council around the overall development plans for the wider Redcliffs village.

"It has been identified that there is a need to ensure all future developments – Foodstuffs, council and other private developments – are working towards the best outcome for the broader community, this process is currently under way."

Davidson said Foodstuffs was still working through the rebuild details with its geotechnical and structural engineers and was in "continual consultation" with its insurers.

"We will advise in due course when work is about to get under way, but currently there are still a number of discussions and investigations which need to be completed before we can confirm actual timings."

A spokesperson for Foodstuffs said the co-operative was in discussions with community leaders and the council around traffic, pedestrian safety and bus priority lanes due to the large amount of development scheduled to happen in the area.

Co-ordination between parties and the council was necessary "to ensure an appropriate approach to rebuilding" was in place.

Foodstuffs was working through a process to take development to the next stage but it would be a "long process".Resource consent had been the first step.

The council confirmed that resource consent to rebuild a two-storey supermarket with a mezzanine area and covered ground level parking at 188 Main Rd in Redcliffs had been granted on March 6. The applicant has five years to give effect to the resource consent.

- © Fairfax NZ News