by Jenni Horn

Store wars have cranked up a gear as complaints from rival supermarkets leave plans for a new Sainsbury's in the balance.

Medway Council's planning committee is due to discuss the new store, which would create 500 jobs on the Medway City Estate, Strood, on Wednesday.

They are also considering an application to extend the Tesco supermarket just two miles away in Cuxton Road, Strood.

Councillors went against planning officers and gave approval for Sainsbury's to develop a seven-acre site in Anthony's Way last November.

But now their decision has been called into question and its planning committee must look at the blueprints again.

It follows a High Court ruling that local authorities must consider the South East Plan, which had not previously been taken into account.

Objections to the store have also been raised by Tesco and the Co-operative Group.

Tesco said the council's retail consultants have not taken into consideration the takeover of Netto, in Strood town centre, by Asda or the Iceland store that moved into the old Woolworths store in the High Street.

The Co-op, which runs the nearby garage on the Medway City Estate, claims a new Sainsbury's would have an "unacceptable impact" on existing shopping centres.

Council officers have again advised councillors to turn down the application. They claim the development would harm Chatham and Strood shopping centres and said there are other places it could be built.

If given the go-ahead, Sainsbury's has promised £9m investment in local roads, including a park and ride scheme.

Officers have recommended the planning committee approve Tesco's application to extend its Cuxton Road branch.

The plans, which would see it become a larger Extra store, include additional parking and 200 new jobs.