Tesco has launched a last-minute bid to scupper plans by developers to transform Shirley town centre with a #100 million makeover.
The supermarket giant has submitted its own ambitious plans to regenerate the busy town centre which would mean that the popular Shirley Park would not have to be built on.
Proposals outlined by developers Shirley Advance were given the green light by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's ruling cabinet last Thursday.
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However, the plan has received some criticism by residents and councillors because it is anchored on a new superstore - thought to be Asda - and involves building on a small part of the park.
Residents' groups claim there are already too many supermarkets in the district.
Officials from developers GC Shirley, who are spearheading the Tesco proposals, claim their plan will involve no loss of parkland and no additional supermarkets, as the existing Stratford Road Tesco store on the Hall Green border would be closed and the site made available for housing.
This would remove the need to build apartments on Shirley Park.
Solihull Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt has urged Conservativecontrolled Solihull council to look closely at the new proposals.
She said: "This council is not listening to local people or the local shopkeepers who think the Shirley Advance proposal is too big, takes away their parkland, and who simply don't want another superstore on the Stratford Road."
Robert Birch, from Shirley Advance, said: "Over the past 18 months we have undertaken an extensive public consultation exercise and the plans continue to evolve.
"We are looking forward to the next stage of the planning process. The GC Shirley suggestion is of no concern to us."
