Four rival developers bidding to build a multi-million pound supermarket in Oswestry will have to wait months to find out who has clinched the deal.

It comes after J Ross Developments became the latest company to throw its hat into the ring by submitting its plans for the scheme yesterday ahead of a crunch meeting.

All four hopefuls were invited to a behind-closed-doors meeting with members of Shropshire Council yesterday afternoon to outline their bids.

However, due to the fourth application being submitted at such a late stage a decision will now be delayed.

Applications include one for the Central car park, in the town centre; the Smithfield Livestock Market on Shrewsbury Road; the Richard Burbidge’s site on Whittington Road; and the JT Hughes and Guttercrest site on Victoria Road.

Gareth Proffitt, a Shropshire Council spokesman, today said: “The four applicants wishing to build a new supermarket in Oswestry each addressed members of Shropshire Council’s strategic regulatory committee at a special meeting on Thursday.

“Each made a factual-only presentation about their application, and answered questions, to enable members to find out more about each submission, and to ensure they are fully conversant with each proposal when they come to determine the applications.

“The intention is that the applications will be determined at a meeting of Shropshire Council’s strategic regulatory committee later this year, when members will decide which application is permitted. The exact date is still to be confirmed.”

Campaign group OS21 called for an independent retail survey to determine the need for a large foodstore.

Mark Evans, of OS21, said: “OS21 is pleased there is finally an alternative town centre choice to the three previously submitted out-of-town schemes, but calls for a moratorium on any decision on supermarket retail in Oswestry until a new and independent retail survey is commissioned.”

By Suzanne Roberts