A public inquiry is to be held over controversial plans to double the size of Helston's Tesco superstore.

Tesco Stores Ltd has applied for planning permission to replace its existing Clodgey Lane supermarket with a new development twice the size.

The proposal caused uproar with some residents and Kerrier district council received 30 letters of objection, as well a petition containing 220 signatures over the loss of shops in Helston town centre. A second petition containing 661 signatures was also received, detailing fears that the store would "further accelerate the decline of Helston town centre, its shops, businesses and outlying communities."

However, powers to either approve or refuse the application have now been taken away from Kerrier council planners, after they failed to make a decision within the 13-week deadline.

Tesco has submitted a "non-determination appeal" against the lack of decision, which will now lead to a public inquiry being held at a future date yet to be set.

Kerrier council's planning committee will be asked at a meeting next Tuesday how they wish to be represented at the public inquiry.

Members will be recommended that if the application is put back into the council's jurisdiction, they should refuse the plans on the grounds of its design, possible flood risk, fears over highway safety and on principle, as it had yet to be proven that the proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on the town centre.

When consulted, the Environment Agency objected to the plans due to flood risk fears. The county surveyor in the highways department of Cornwall county council also recommended refusal due to the absence of a satisfactory transport assessment.

In a report to members, planning officer Abigail Heard wrote: "It is considered that the applicant has not demonstrated that the proposed store would not have a detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of Helston town centre. Further to the above, it is also considered that the development is of a bland and featureless design, which fails to enhance or reflect the character of the area."

She added that in light of these reasons, together with the flooding and traffic fears, it was considered that the application did not fit with development plan policy.

Tesco is likely to argue that there is a need for a larger store in Helston and that their proposals are suitable for the town.

In documents supporting their application, Tesco have said that the replacement store would be farther away from residential properties in Clodgey Lane and a new roundabout would improve the safety of access for customers and delivery lorries, which was currently "cramped and dangerous."

The supporting documents also said of the current outlet: "The Tesco store is over-trading and experiencing major problems such as in store congestion. These qualitative deficiencies are exacerbated at peak periods, particularly over the summer period."

In addition, they highlighted the 120 new full and part-time jobs that would be created, as well as an increase in choice and range for shoppers.