A DECISION on plans for a new retail development in Noctorum has been deferred by Wirral's planning committee until after site visit has taken place.

Manchester-based planning and property consultant GL Hearns' application for permission to build a 'retail unit' in Townfield Close, Noctorum was deferred by the committee when it met on Thursday night.

It will be reconsidered when the group next meets on June 21.

The application has prompted speculation that supermarket giant Tesco is planning to open a store on the site of the former Texaco petrol station.

Tesco is refusing to be drawn into the discussion. A spokesman said this week: "We don't comment on rumour about any particular sites.

"Retailers look at many different locations all the time which may or may not progress, so all are subject to lots of speculation."

Paul Edwards, who owns a convenience store and post office near the proposed development, launched a campaign against what he called a "supermarket invasion" of the borough.

His petition - Wirral Against Supermarket Powers - has so far been signed by more than 1,000 people.

Noctorum is not alone in being against further supermarket developments. In Greasby, around 4,000 have joined a protest campaign against plans by Sainsbury to build a store on the car park of the Red Cat pub.

And the building of Tesco's latest Wirral addition at the former Plough Inn near Moreton Cross was also fiercely opposed by residents and ward councillors.

A petition containing around 2,500 names was presented to members of the town hall planning committee when it met in August of last year - but it made no difference and the store was approved in any event.

To support Paul Edwards’ campaign, visit Youtube.com/user/WirralASP, facebook.com/WirralASP or email WirralASP@hotmail.co.uk