A FRESH attempt to secure a new supermarket for Tavistock is to be made by the owners of the former Focus site on Plymouth Road.

Marchfield Properties say a number of 'big name retail operators' are interested in moving into the vacant building. It could mean the creation of up to 150 jobs.

But the developer has first to secure planning permission to widen the range of goods that can be sold from the site, which has been vacant for almost 18 months.

The move has been welcomed by businesses on the Plymouth Road Retail Park and by borough councillor Alison Clish-Green.

But any planning application could be delayed by legal moves instigated by West Devon Borough Council which will determine what type of retail can operate from that site.

Residents and businesses are also currently being consulted on a new independent retail study for Tavistock which suggests that the town does not need another large supermarket and that it could be detrimental to the town centre.

The site has been vacant since June 2011 when Focus went into administration. Marchfield Properties said that despite continued marketing there had been no expressions of interest from any similar DIY retailers in taking on the unit.

Jonathan James from the company said: 'We have been approached by a number of national supermarket operators, all of whom recognise the suitability of the site and the lack of choice which currently exists.

'We will be asking for planning permission early next year to provide a medium-sized alternative to the Morrisons store.'

He said the company would be carrying out a programme of engagement with local residents to ensure that its application was absolutely tailored to the current and future needs of Tavistock.

Cllr Clish-Green, who represents the Plymouth Road area, said she had been concerned about that site for a long time which was at the entrance to the retail park and on a main road into the town.

'It is now an eyesore,' she said. 'The businesses on the retail park have suffered greatly because of this. I think anything retail on that site would be good.

'I believe competition is good and do not think a food outlet would detract from the town centre. Tavistock is robust enough and if anything I think it would be an added attraction.

'This is a brownfield site that has a history of retail — let's go for it.'

But legal moves could prevent a supermarket being built on that site if the High Court overturns the council's own planning approval made last July for two units there. The planning permission did not include conditions from the original Focus approval meaning the way was still open for a supermarket application to be lodged.

Cllr Clish-Green said it was 'ridiculous' to go for a judicial review: 'It is a complete and utter waste of time and money. The whole point of localism is about local people making local decisions.'

But Tavistock Chamber of Commerce is opposed to a supermarket there. Chamber chairman Nigel Eadie has said he believes it is 'completely the wrong site' for a supermarket.

A borough council spokesperson said an oral hearing for the judicial review had been set for January 22. Until then it was unsure whether the judicial review would go ahead or it would be thrown out.

They confirmed that owners of the site had engaged in pre-application discussions with a view to submitting a formal planning application.

The retail study which had been the subject of a consultation event in Tavistock recently had provoked 'mixed views' about the need for another supermarket in the town, said the spokesperson.