It is looking increasingly likely that Tesco will win its fight to increase the size of its store in Abingdon by more than a quarter.

A report by Sign1et Planning consultants on the impact a bigger retail outlet might have on town centre trade said that in the absence of any alternative redevelopment opportunities it would be difficult to refuse planning permission.

Traders claimed a bigger Tesco would hit small independent town centre businesses and said no-one has the courage to take on the supermarket.

The Vale of White Horse District Council is expected to re-examine Tesco's application next January or February. In the meantime the council will be considering the possible effects a bigger store selling more non-food items might have on plans to refurbish the Bury Street shopping precinct.

Council planning officer Martin Deans said: "Clearly we will have to look at the report again in the light of the decision to improve the shopping precinct and anything that might compromise the plan."

The Signet report follows an earlier examination this year by another team of consultants on the implications of a bigger Tesco's. That concluded an enlarged store would not cause significant damage to town centre trade.

Signet looked at the possibility of Tesco building a smaller store near the town centre on the site of the cattle market car park that the Vale council wants to sell. The report concluded that the site would not be viable because it was " very peripheral" to the town centre and would not be big enough.

Signet said the absence of any redevelopment in the town centre limited the ability of the council to refuse planning permission on the grounds of lack of retail need. Signet added: "It is difficult to argue that the proposed extension to Tesco's store would adversely impact on future public and private sector investment."

The report had good news for the town centre though. It said: "There is currently a good level of retailer interest for representation in Abingdon town centre which, due to the lack of shop units of a suitable size, quality and configuration, cannot be satisfied. Conditions indicate a climate that is becoming more favourable towards re-development opportunities."

Abingdon Town Council is worried about the future for town centre traders. Some town and district councillors fear a bigger Tesco will add to the town's already congested traffic problems and could be a flood risk.

Abingdon Chamber of Commerce president Jill Carver said: "Despite what the reports show we believe a bigger Tesco will have a detrimental effect on town centre trade. More disposable income will go to Tesco and there will be less money for the rest of us to share.

"It appears to us that no-one is prepared to take on Tesco. They are scared of the power and financial muscle of a huge company."