Supermarket giant Asda today denied its bid to open a new store in Telford would damage the shopping centre.

Asda said that there was enough demand for two food stores in the centre and managers said that they remained positive about both its own plans and the future “health” of the town centre despite a delay on a decision over its proposals to build a store on the civic offices site.

Telford & Wrekin Council’s plans board last week deferred making a decision on Asda’s application.

Asda said this was primarily as a result of a late objection from Hark Apollo, owner of Telford Shopping Centre, which claimed that the Asda application was contrary to national and local planning policy.

It had said that Asda leaving its current shopping centre site would harm the town centre.

The supermarket said its robust response had been to challenge both the policy points and the negative claims of Hark Apollo regarding the future of Telford Shopping Centre and the town overall.

Chris Marlow, Asda property communications manager, said: “We are bemused by Hark Apollo’s insistence that Asda’s plans could in any way be damaging to Telford town centre, especially when there is an identified capacity for two food stores in the town centre.

“Hark Apollo have stated that their redeveloped shopping centre would provide a suitable trading environment for other leading multiple retailers to occupy.”

He added: “The fact of the matter is that Hark Apollo’s plans do not meet Asda’s trading or operating requirements and that is why we are trying to secure our long-term future on the civic offices site.”

Mr Marlow went on: “As regards planning policy, the Asda application is entirely in line with both national and local policy, as clearly recognised in the council’s papers for the plans board.”

The plans board is expected to make a decision in the New Year.

By Lisa Rowley