Some of the country's biggest supermarket names are seeking to bring a halt to the planned development of Odsal stadium.

Bradford's own Morrisons has been joined by Asda Property and Kwik Save in opposing the planned £60 million revamp of the home of the Bradford Bulls.

The firms oppose the involvement of Tesco in creating a massive 138,000-square feet supermarket on the site, but developers Sterling Capitol say the retail element is essential to help drive the leisure side of the proposal including the 26,000-seater stadium for the Bulls.

The plan is set to be heard by Bradford area planning panel on December 13.

Morrisons has objected over the heavy traffic which they believe the scheme will cause.

Asda Property has pointed out that it has investment worth £60 million in the Forster Square Retail Park and believes the scale of retail at Odsal could seriously affect the park and the rest of the city centre.

Somerfield Stores Ltd, which operates Kwik Save, claims shopping at Odsal would affect the city centre, Great Horton and Mayo Avenue/Bankfoot areas.

There are also about 20 letters of objection from residents, mainly over traffic concerns.

But Martin Croxen, chief executive of Sterling Capitol, said many more people were in favour of the plan than against it.

There is also a letter supporting the scheme from business organisation Bradford Breakthrough - and Bradford Retail Action Group, representing city centre traders, will not object.

"There is phenomenal national support without question," Mr Croxen said.

"This is a major gateway site and will prove people want things to happen for Bradford.

"People should not just think of the stadium in terms of objections. We also want them to show that they support."

And now the company was seeking to deal with residents' concerns, he added.

"Some residents do have some concerns and we are dealing with this and know it is very important that we get this right."

And he said they were seeking the support of some famous Bradford names to get the scheme off the ground.

Artist David Hockney has been approached by the developers hoping he will back their cause.

Other celebrities, including cricketer Brian Close and Bradford-born actor Timothy West are also being sought to give their support.

The planning application will have to be referred to Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, Stephen Byers, for a decision because of the size of the scheme and the inclusion of a Tesco store.

The Odsal redevelopment saga began in 1993 when plans by John Garside for a £200 million Superdome were unveiled.

But five years later - after extensions of time by Bradford Council - the scheme collapsed.

Sterling Capitol was picked by the Council out of a long list of contenders.

Tesco did not wish to comment on the objections from other companies.