THE Hambleton councillors who yesterday considered the enormous weight of evidence produced either for or against Safeway's plans for a new supermarket at the north end of Northallerton deserve a certain amount of sympathy.

The issue, with a history dating back to 1996, is infernally complex. It has been subject to countless consultants' reports and a High Court judgment. At stake is the battle for supermarket supremacy in the town sparked by Tesco's purchase of the relatively small William Low store in the Nineties.

The key issue has always been to what extent would another large supermarket do damage to the other, largely small independent traders, in the town centre. More recently that has been complicated further by rival Tesco successfully re-building its store at the other end of the High Street. How could the town of sustain another big modern store?

The crucial factor in the councillors' decision is the fact that Safeway already has a small High Street store which would be vacated if the new store proposal was approved.

This store is large in High Street terms and would, according to the retail property experts we have spoken to this week, be highly attractive to other retailers, including some big national multiples like Boots. On balance, would the benefits to be gained from the re-use of the old store site outweigh the disadvantages of having another big modern superstore on the edge of town?

Hambleton planning committee obviously believes that in granting Safeway permission it has reaffirmed its faith in the enduring strength of the town centre.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest the High Street is strong enough to cope with this big increase in retail space on the edge of town. Some traders will feel the pinch but consumers overall will benefit from Tesco, Safeway and Somerfield being able to compete on equal terms.