THE proposed new multi-million pound Sainsbury's store in Bromsgrove could potentially be as far off as five years away, it has been revealed.

Last week the Advertiser reported on WHAT! Stores moving into the former Focus DIY unit on Bromsgrove retail park, off Birmingham Road, which led some residents questioning whether Sainsbury's would ever build its proposed 45,000 sq ft store at the site that it gained planning permission for in 2010.

Further information was revealed at a meeting of the overview and scrutiny board during a town centre presentation given by regeneration programme manager Richard Savory, held at the Council House on Thursday, (September 25).

The update revealed the Co-operative Food supermarket, currently on the site, had exercised its legal right and been granted a five year lease.

However, Mr Savory pointed out to members Co-op's lease had break clauses put in it.

In a previous statement to the Advertiser a spokesman for the supermarket giant said that the store was not on its construction programme for the next 15 months, but they hoped to be able to let the community know its schedule "as soon as possible".

The statement added that the break clauses allowed them to develop the store on the site "when they were in a position to do so".

After the meeting Councillor Luke Mallett, the leader of the opposition Labour group, commented that they had always been told the town centre rested on having an anchor store at either end of the High Street, including the new Sainsbury's.

Cllr Mallett said: "With the revelation that Sainsbury's may not come for five years as a result of leases they have signed with Co-op and WhatStore, everything is now at risk."

Mr Savory's presentation also featured the latest on other town centre projects including:

• Worcestershire County Council has appointed CRBE to market the former Bromsgrove Fire Station site in Windsor Street, which extends to Bromsgrove Library, that is expected to move to the Parkside site next year. The Windor Street site is being marketed as part of the area action plan and Mr Savory also revealed one retailer was "very keen" on the site.

• The developer of a proposed new care village in Recreation Road has attended a pre-application meeting. Mr Savory added the developer is expected to submit a full planning application in October.

• This developer will also display indicative proposals for upgrade of Recreation Ground, as part of the public consultation on the Recreation Road development.

• A development site in School Drive will become available after the completion of the new leisure centre. It was reported policy allows for a small scale residential, commercial or retail opportunity at this site.