Insider Media Limited

More than 2,000 jobs could be created if Wolverhampton City Council's planning committee rules that three rival supermarkets should be allowed to be built near each other.

Officers at the council have recommended approval for a Morrison's supermarket to be built in the city. The planning committee will submit its verdict on Tuesday (11 October).

The infamous "supermarket wars" row dates back to 2001 when supermarket giants Tesco and Sainsbury's were locked in a dispute over a shared site on Raglan Street.

The two share ownership of the land, but after the city council ruled in favour of Tesco’s planned development, Sainsbury’s took its case to the Supreme Court where it won.

Tesco then said it would only sell the land to its rival if the council granted permission for it to build a new store at the former Royal Hospital in All Saints.

The new development would create 600 jobs, it said – 100 more than the new Sainsbury’s store.

However, the battle recently heated up earlier this year when developer Peel revealed its plans to demolish its Wolverhampton city centre retail park and replace it with a 78,000 sq ft Morrisons supermarket. Peels said the move would create 1,000 jobs.

Both Tesco and Sainbury’s objected to Peel’s plans, saying three city centre supermarkets was unsustainable.

However, Wolverhampton City Council planning officers have recommended proposals, and all three applications will be heard at a meeting of the planning committee on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Peel said: "Consent [for a Morrison's supermarket] would lead to a multimillion pound direct investment as well as further spin-off investment, with the potential for up to 1,000 permanent new retail jobs, together with significant numbers of construction jobs along the way.

"Peel feels the Raglan Street battle has already held food retailing back in the city for far too long and that what is now needed is bold and rapid progress with the introduction of the major supermarket brands in to the city."

Both Tesco and Sainsbury's declined to comment when contacted by Insider.