ANOTHER supermarket chain has declared an interest in developing a new store in Liskeard.

Tesco has confirmed to the Cornish Times that it has been looking at a possible site at Addington, on land which has already secured outline planning consent for the building of 450 houses by Persimmon Homes. This was granted two years ago in August 2011.

For the last six months, it has been common knowledge that rival supermarket chain Sainsbury's has been in negotiation to purchase land on the same site.

The matter had been discussed at both town council and town forum levels. However, it is understood that the company has now withdrawn its interest in Liskeard.

Tesco said that talks are in the early stages, no contracts have been signed and there is no planning application in the pipeline, as this would be subject to a local consultation first.

In an official statement, a spokesperson for Tesco Stores Ltd said: 'We're interested in the site and the opportunity to serve local shoppers.'

Tesco, which has a store in Callington, withdrew its planning application to develop an outlet on the controversial site at The Barbican, East Looe, through Mercian Developments last year.

Looe Town Council and a number of local people objected to the proposal. Meanwhile, Cornwall Council was also actively looking for bids for a supermarket development on the Polean site on The Millpool at West Looe.

Morrisons threw its hat into the ring – and a spokesperson at Looe Town Council said this week: 'As far as we know, Morrisons is still in the frame to develop at Polean.'