COUNCIL bosses won t make a key decision over land that is crucial to Sainsbury s plans to build a town-centre Ottery store until it submits a planning application.

COUNCIL bosses won't make a key decision over land that is crucial to Sainsbury's plans to build a town-centre Ottery store until it submits a planning application.

The Herald understands the supermarket giant wants to lease the Hind Street car park from East Devon District Council (EDDC) for around 100 years.

EDDC's executive board in January deferred a decision, over a bid for the site, for six months.

Half a year later, an EDDC spokesperson said this week: "The question of EDDC's car park in Hind Street being leased to Sainsbury's would only become a live issue if and when the supermarket company submits an application for planning permission to build a store in this location.

"So far no such application has been forthcoming. If and when such an application is submitted, the council will need to consider its attitude towards the possible lease of the car park."

Sainsbury's' vow to double the car park in size and offer all Ottery shoppers free town-centre parking has been a central part if its vision for a 20,00 sq ft Hind Street store.

A Sainsbury's spokeswoman said she had "no idea" of any discussions held by EDDC or its pending decision over the car park.

The supermarket's purchase of Coleridge Trust owned land on which it wants to build the store is dependant on EDDC granting it planning permission.

Sainsbury's planning experts visited the town last Friday, but the spokeswoman would only say that the firm's planning application will be submitted in the "coming months."

The Herald revealed last month how rival Tesco's planning application will not be handed in until late-summer.