Anger over huge bill in council's Newport supermarket court fight

Lord Justice Sullivan delivered an early defeat to the council and developer St Modwen by ruling that a planning inspector had made no error and that the supermarket in Audley Avenue can go ahead. Morrisons has signed a deal with landowner David Tringham for a 53,000 square foot store at the site, creating 250 jobs.

The hearing was scheduled to last two days, but Lord Sullivan announced his verdict yesterday.

The decision leaves a serious question mark over rival plans for a larger Sainsbury's in Station Road in Newport, which is being promoted by the council and St Modwen. The authority has spent more than £1.2 million on legal fees on stores in Newport.

Telford & Wrekin Council refused to confirm how much had been spent on lawyers in fighting the Morrisons bid.

Spokesman Russell Griffin said: "Naturally we are disappointed with the judgement as our only aim in making this appeal was to protect the public purse. We need to take some time to consider the judgment and what we do next. We have no further comment to make at this time."

Campaigners today demanded to know how much Telford & Wrekin Council has spent on legal fees in the case.

Lord Justice Sullivan ruled that a planning inspector's decision should stand, paving the way for a Morrisons supermarket in Audley Avenue.

It is a huge financial blow for Telford & Wrekin Council, which has consistently argued that a larger Sainsbury's on land it owns in Station Road would be a better option for Newport.

That would earn the council £21 million in land sales and it has spent more than £1 million in legal fees in an effort to make it a reality.

The council approved the Sainsbury's but it was then called in by the Government and a public inquiry on the plan is due to be considered again later this year on a date to be fixed.

But the Sainsbury's bid is now in doubt as Lord Sullivan said there was "no realistic prospect" of two new food stores in Newport.

Sainsbury's today said it would be "inappropriate to comment" on yesterday's ruling until the public inquiry had taken place.

The local authority has spent in excess of £1.2 million on legal fees concerning supermarkets in Newport.

The bulk of that has been spent on barristers to support Sainsbury's at a previous public inquiry, which was cancelled following the death of the inspector, and to fight the Audley Avenue bid through the courts.

It remains to be seen whether the council will attempt another legal challenge.

The Save Newport Campaign Group has favoured the Morrisons bid over Sainsbury's as it is smaller and is on already developed land.

Councillor Adrian Meredith, a leader in the group, said officials at Telford & Wrekin Council should pay for "squandering public money".

He said: "Heads ought to roll because of the money they've wasted. Someone has to be answerable. There was never any doubt in my mind that the judge would rule in this way."

Councillor Andrew Eade, the leader of the opposition Conservative group, said: "We warned all along that the council fighting its own community in this way would end in complete disaster.

"At a time of reducing the social care budget by £10 million they've wasted £1.5 million fighting this futile legal battle.

"That money could've been used to support much-needed services."