THE Tenbury man in charge of planning policy throughout the district says it will now be next year before Tesco starts work on the new supermarket in the town.

But Tony Penn, who represents Tenbury on Malvern Hills District Council where he is portfolio holder for planning, remains confident that the supermarket will go ahead with plans to build its store on the old Cattle Market site.

“It is taking a long time but I believe that it will happen,” he said.

“I believe that Tesco has had some issues but remains committed to smaller developments like the site in Tenbury.”

He said that talks between Tesco and officers from both Malvern Hills District Council and Worcestershire County Council to resolve some technical issues are still to take place.

“I think it unlikely that any work will start this year but it is a ninemonth build time and so could be open by Christmas next year.”

But the Tesco saga that split the town has now rumbled on for more than three years with no sign of a stone being turned on the site that has remained derelict for a decade.

An initial proposal was rejected by Malvern Hills planners and then a second scheme was lodged only to be withdrawn before finally, early last year, approval was given.

However, any thoughts that this would lead to a start were dashed and it was believed a Tesco board meeting in January would give the green light.

This has not happened but Tesco says that it is committed to the development that it has claimed would create at least 100 full and parttime jobs.

But the further delay means the running sore over the scheme that split the town with a strong anti-Tesco campaign ultimately being defeated will continue into a fifth year.