TESCO has won its appeal to open a new superstore in Park Road, Faringdon, after a prolonged battle between two rival supermarkets.

Supermarlet chains Tesco and Waitrose had both hoped to open stores in the town, but on different sites.

Planning inspector Christina Downes yesterday overruled Vale of White Horse District Council, which had blocked the Tesco development, saying it was “unsustainable that a large proportion of the local population have to travel a long way to undertake their main food shopping.”

Waitrose applied to open in Gloucester Street, in the town centre, but Ms Downes ruled there was “little evidence” Tesco’s out-of-town proposals would have greater impact on other retailers than its rival’s proposal.