A COMMUNITY has been left in limbo after councillors decided to delay a decision on a controversial Worcester supermarket plan.

The fate of plans for a 24,500 sq ft Sainsbury's store will stay up in the air until next month to give every city councillor the chance to consider which way to vote.

Council officers, Sainsbury's representatives and protesters were all given the chance to air their views at yesterday's Worcester City Council planning committee.

The firm had submitted revised proposals to address concerns about over-development and traffic congestion.

But critics said they still had reservations about the development on Swanpool Walk, St John's.

Paul Carpenter, of the St John's 2nd Worcester Scout Group, whose hut lies near the entrance to the site, spoke on behalf of 200 children whose lives, he feared, could be put at risk.

"A car or lorry could crash into the hut while children are inside," he said.

Neighbouring resident Joe Walter said he had gathered 4,200 signatures from protesters, while David Birtwhistle, of the pressure group Save Our St John's, declared a lack of confidence in Worcester's planning officers.

"In 1999, we were sent a glossy brochure outlining Sainsbury's proposals, which we opposed," he said.

"Councillors told us they were listening, but the plans are practically identical today. I'm astonished that such a reputable company is involved in making application after application, and beg you to refuse."

Peter Yates, head of development planning, said the results of research into levels of congestion did not warrant a refusal.

"There won't be a problem until 2011, when levels will become unacceptable," he said.

Sainsbury's representatives said there was "an established need" for a supermarket in St John's and insisted concerns had been addressed.

But Coun Richard Udall remained concerned about traffic, while Coun Ray Turner raised the issues of pollution, the safety of children, and adverse effects on local shopkeepers.

Coun Mary Drinkwater asked why the new bypass had been built when the store would bring traffic back into St John's again.

Coun Aubrey Tarbuck, who previously opposed the plans, backed the new application, though he felt the 218 proposed parking spaces were inadequate.

Although the committee agreed a decision needed to made by the full council on Monday, October 10, four councillors said they would approve the plan and six said they would oppose it.