A SUPERMARKET at the centre of a controversial planning wrangle could face further criticism over plans to reduce the size of a public car park.

Safeway has applied for permission to build two trolley storage areas at its Barnard Castle store, one on land at the town centre car park, the other on land owned by the store.

The trolley stores, which measure four metres square, will take up two parking spaces.

Teesdale district council's development control committee will consider the plans today at a meeting in Barnard Castle. Council planning officers are recommending that planning permission for the trolley stores is granted.

The proposal has already met opposition from Barnard Castle town councillors.

During the last meeting of the town council, members proposed outright rejection of the scheme.

Their opposition follows a long running dispute between the council and the supermarket chain over plans for a multi-million pound new store on the present shop site.

The wrangle went on for more than a year before an agreement was reached on the price of a small strip of land. Despite planning permission, work has still not started.