Planning bosses at Shropshire Council were warned today to expect a challenge on whatever decision they reach on which Oswestry supermarket bid should get the go-ahead.

Councillor Keith Barrow, a member of Oswestry Town Council, warned it was “almost inevitable” the supermarket decision will be challenged by at least one of the unsuccessful applicants.

Councillor Barrow, who held the development portfolio on the now defunct Oswestry Borough Council, urged Shropshire Council bosses to seek advice from independent consultants if it is to be protected from criticism over any decision.

And the councillor, a member of Shropshire Council’s implementation executive who will be standing for election to the new authority in June, said there was a chance the matter would end in a public inquiry.

There are currently four rival bids to build a supermarket in Oswestry.

Developer Liberty Mercian, in partnership with Oswestry Town Council, wants to build on the Smithfield livestock site, while timber firm Richard Burbidge wants to relocate from its Whittington Road site, allowing Tesco to build a store in its place.

Oswestry firm’s JT Hughes and Guttercrest want to relocate and build a store across their neighbouring sites in Victoria Road while developer J Ross Developments has released plans to build a store on Oswestry’s central car park.

Councillor Barrow said: “It is a decision which can’t be rushed and it will affect Oswestry enormously.”