A PLANNING inspector’s hearing could help supermarket chain Morrisons decide if it is going to build a new store in Wallingford.

South Oxfordshire District Council agreed in July 2013 that the 30,000 sq ft store could open on the Hithercroft estate, creating 300 jobs.

But district councillor John Cotton, now council leader, proposed a condition which the supermarket is fighting.

The condition said the building should have an “excellent” Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating.

But Morrisons said its planning application was made before the council agreed to adopt the BREEAM standard, which insists on the highest building standard.

A spokesman for the Planning Inspectorate said the public hearing which could last two days, will start at 10am at the council’s offices in Crowmarsh on Tuesday, February 17.

Mr Cotton said: “Morrisons could argue at the hearing that the Government is suggesting that if the viability of a scheme driving economic growth is being put at risk then local authorities should not be imposing such conditions.

“I would dearly love Morrisons to come to Wallingford.”

Mr Cotton said he wanted to see Morrisons, or another supermarket, occupy the former Waitrose store site in St Martin’s Street in the town centre.

SODC also said the supermarket must pay £750,000 over five years to fund a bus route linking the industrial estate to the town centre.

Morrisons signed an agreement with SODC regarding developer contributions in April last year.

Alexander Hall, a spokesman for Camargue, acting on behalf of Morrisons, said the condition imposed would adversely affect the store and its operation, adding: “We remain grateful for the support of so many people in Wallingford and are continuing to work hard through the complexities of this scheme.”