A date has been set for a public inquiry into Tesco's controversial plans for a new superstore in Bath.
The retail giant has appealed against Bath and North East Somerset Council's refusal of its plans for the former Bath Press printing works in Lower Bristol Road.
An independent inspector will listen to the arguments for and against the scheme - which also includes workshops, offices, homes and a basement car park - at a hearing at Bath City's ground in Twerton on July 2.
Tesco would be spending £80 million on its scheme, which has worried planners and traders because of the likely adverse impact on shops in Moorland Road, and the extra traffic it would generate.
When it announced its appeal, Tesco said: "We are proposing significant investment for this underused site, creating more than 600 jobs and helping to bring forward thousands of homes.
"We are disappointed that after five years of consultation with the council, the benefits of this proposal have not been recognised so we have decided to appeal the decision."
The inquiry is listed for one day, starting at 10am, but the council has warned that the hearing could take longer.
A guide to taking part in a planning inquiry is available on the Planning Inspectorate website - www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk.
The appeal reference number is APP/F0114/A/13/2191952.
The firm is pressing its case as rival Sainsbury's wants to develop a new store at Green Park.
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