Asda plans to lobby 'Tesco towns'

Walmart-owned supermarket chain Asda wants planning rules in 'Tesco towns' to be suspended, media reports have indicated.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, the retailer is lobbying the government in a bid to seek approval to build out-of-town superstores on greenfield land.

The Telegraph reports that the UK's third largest supermarket is hoping to increase customer choice in certain areas where Tesco is the dominant brand.

Asda's plans were included in a submission made recently to the Competition Commission, the details of which came to light shortly before the Commission is due to publish the results of its two-year inquiry into the grocery market.

A spokesman for Asda said: "It is up to the local authority to decide if there is insufficient competition. Asda would like to see local authorities having the flexibility to vary their planning policies in those towns where they decide that consumers will benefit from increased choice and diversity."

However, Tesco has responded angrily to Asda's proposals, claiming that increased competition would not be beneficial to customers.

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