SUPERMARKET bosses have confirmed they are on the verge of submitting plans to build a controversial store in a Suffolk market town.Last night representatives from Tesco said the retail giant was now preparing a planning application for the Brett Works site in Haldeigh.

SUPERMARKET bosses have confirmed they are on the verge of submitting plans to build a controversial store in a Suffolk market town.

Last night representatives from Tesco said the retail giant was now preparing a planning application for the Brett Works site in Haldeigh.

However they said before the final proposals were drawn up they wanted to ensure local stakeholders had their say so any concerns could be discussed.

Babergh District Council has allocated the Brett Works site as the preferred supermarket location in Hadleigh in its Local Plan.

A government inspector backed the proposal last year but the suggested development has split the community down the middle.

Michael Kissman, Tesco spokesman, said they wanted to speak to all members of the local community including the town council, chamber of commerce and the Hadleigh Society.

He said: “Although the principle of developing on the Brett Works site is firmly established, we will be preparing proposals which address the concerns regarding access and design issues raised by the 2001 public inquiry decision.

“By holding a consultation programme in advance of the submission of the application, we can listen to the community's views before we finalise the plans.

“We are also particularly interested in hearing from groups that represent different aspects of community life in the Hadleigh area - groups who ordinarily would not be consulted, but nevertheless have an important contribution to make to the discussions.”

John Bloomfield, one of the founders of lobby group Campaign Against Another Supermarket Hadleigh, said: “I fear that the consultation will just be a conditioning exercise persuading people to accept the idea.

“This is Tesco's third application and we will have to wait and see what they have in mind.”

The consultation programme includes a public exhibition that will be held in the Grand Hall, Hadleigh, between midday and 6pm on Friday December 1 and 10am and 2pm on Saturday December 2.

Anyone wishing to contact Tesco can write to Michael Kissman, corporate affairs manager, Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, EN8 9SL.