Battle lines have been drawn by Bradford Council in expectation that a plan for a new supermarket in Keighley will go to a public inquiry.

City Hall's regulatory and appeals committee yesterday turned down plans for a new Asda superstore in Bradford Street.

Chairman Councillor Stanley King said the planning document, on which the refusal was based, would form the basis of the Council's opposition at a public inquiry.

Keighley area planning panel opposed the scheme last week.

Councillors approved the recommendations to refuse, despite a claim by Keighley Town Councillor Brian Hudson that feedback from residents to the council, revealed "overwhelming support" for a new supermarket.

"They want an alternative to Morrisons and Sainsbury's," he said. "We feel we would be failing in our duty if we did not take notice of residents." But senior planning officer, John Eyles told members: "Keighley is the best served town in the whole of the district for convenience goods."

The committee agreed to refuse the application on the grounds that Asda had failed to show there was a need for another supermarket, and it would create an increase in traffic.

It would also have a serious impact on the economic life of the town centre and even on Bingley and Silsden.

The land had also been earmarked in the UDP for employment and not retail use. Councillors were also told that the scheme was opposed in the Airedale Masterplan, an independent blueprint for the economic development of Airedale.

It has been earmarked in the plan as a prime location for the siting of high-tech industry.