CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new supermarket at Poulton's Teanlowe Centre look doomed.

Wyre's policy committee, behind closed doors on Tuesday, voted to halt any further talks on the proposal to put the shopping complex's car park up for bids from supermarket developers.

The move is almost certain to be confirmed by the full council next Thursday (July 29).

The idea, put forward by the previous Labour administration, provoked a storm of controversy in the May elections, and the Tories came into power determined to reverse it. Labour's aim had been to block Trinity Investments' plans for an edge-of-town supermarket on derelict land at the corner of Station Road and Breck Road by presenting a town centre alternative.

Conservative leader Coun Pat Catlow said she was bound by council rules not to comment until the decision is officially made public on Friday. But Labour group chairman Coun Geoff Horrocks said: "By implication this means there is no alternative site to Station Road. The Tories have turned down the opportunity to have a prestige development in the town centre and in effect given the green light to an edge-of-town development which can only be damaging to the existing businesses in Poulton." Wigan-based Trinity Investments, which has been negotiating with Wyre since 1997, has its latest scheme up before the planning committee in August after an earlier one was rejected as too big.

Managing director David Harrison said: "Our attitude right from the outset has been that Station Road is entirely appropriate for a new foodstore. We now hope we can get into constructive discussions with Wyre Council on our revised planning application as soon as possible. We've always made it clear that we're prepared to negotiate a scheme that has the support of the council and local people.

"We believe it will bring more trade and prosperity to the town centre as has been proven elsewhere."

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