SHOPPERS' dreams of a 24-hour Asda superstore opening in Redhill could be shattered.
Negotiations between the retail giant and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council have been stalled for months and the councillor in charge of regeneration now says she is "not confident" it will ever happen.
Natalie Bramhall has also questioned the need for the store.
Asda submitted plans 18 months ago to create 270 jobs with a 25,000sq ft 24-hour supermarket on the corner of High Street and Cromwell Road. Since then, Sainsbury's has secured planning permission for a massively extended store in London Road, and a Co-op has opened in Station Road. Waitrose is also expected to lodge a planning application for a supermarket in Princess Way within weeks.
"It was always a very difficult site to assemble," said Mrs Bramhall.
"We always ask for a contribution towards community infrastructure and various other things and they were not very forthcoming.
"We are not in the same place. They are saying one thing, and we are saying another.
"At the moment as far as I am aware it is still in planning but I have no idea whatsoever as to when it will come forward [for planning committee decision]. I am not confident it will.
"When you look at the provision we have got, with Sainsbury's and Waitrose coming, you have got to turn around and say we don't need another one," she added. "It wouldn't make financial sense for them I think."
It has also emerged Asda has had no discussions about buying the office and shop blocks in High Street and Cromwell Road which would have to be bulldozed to make way for the store.
Howard Dawson, managing director of current owner Peer Group, has called for both Asda and the council to act. Offices in both blocks are sitting entirely empty, and cannot be let while the Asda prospect hangs in the air, he said.
"We are as in the dark as you are," he said. "Asda have not engaged with Peer Group in connection with our ownership and we are the most significant landowner.
"The proposals have blighted our investment for the last three years. It is time for both Asda and the council to make public statements about what is going to happen in that area."
There are also six private and 30 Raven Housing Trust homes on the proposed supermarket site. Raven's head of development Pete Trowbridge was more positive about the plan's chances.
He said: "We are discussing terms with Asda, and are confident we can reach an agreement.
"We are keen to work with all parties to resolve the outstanding planning issues.
"We believe that regenerating this part of Redhill is only ever likely to happen with a scheme such as this one. All parties need to look at ways to make this happen."
No-one from Asda had returned the Mirror's calls as we went to press.
