Bosses of supermarket giant Asda today spoke of their delight at a Government decision which means it can move out of Telford Shopping Centre.

Telford & Wrekin Council had already approved a proposal for the supermarket to relocate to the authority’s civic offices site.

Developers Hark Apollo, however, which wanted to keep Asda in the shopping centre, referred the plan to the Secretary of State John Denham, calling on him to reconsider the proposals. That could have led to the plan being refused but the Secretary of State announced earlier this week that he is not going to call it in.

Asda property communications manager Chris Marlow said: “We are delighted that the Asda application has not been called in. This decision is in line with the views of the council’s planning officers, members of the council’s Plans Board and the vast majority of local people.

“The decision by the Plans Board to grant consent earlier this month followed many months of widespread discussion, deliberation and consultation.

“This now paves the way for major investment in Telford. That investment applies not only to the Asda scheme but to the entire Southwater development.

“The hope now is that we can move ahead quickly, with no further obstructions, in order to deliver a scheme that can provide a range of significant benefits to Telford for many years to come.”

Hark Apollo spokesman David Swaden said the company would be issuing a statement on Monday.