Selby residents battling controversial, multi-million pound plans for the town centre were given a boost today, when a leading national organisation backed their fight.

Selby Civic Society is trying to block Dransfield Properties' £16 million plan to extend their Morrisons supermarket, relocate Selby Abbey School to behind the civic centre, and build three new retail shops north of the Bowling Green recreation ground, on land currently occupied by the school and the Abbey Vaults pub.

Their fight was today backed by national pressure group, Friends Of The Earth, which accused major supermarkets of "manipulating" the planning system.

Friends of the Earth's supermarket campaigner, Robin Webster, said major supermarkets had a habit of "exercising their muscle" in planning applications, and said their vast resources meant councils were not on an equal footing in negotiations.

Selby Civic Society has voiced concerns over the impact Dransfield's plans would have on Selby's historic character, and Ms Webster echoed the society's fears. She said: "We would certainly share the society's concerns about the proposals and give them our backing in what they are saying."

She said there were also economic and political concerns about the impact of supermarkets on high streets, farmers and consumer choice, and said: "Planning legislation desperately needs to be strengthened and the Competition Commission must look again at the power exercised by supermarket chains."

Dr David Moss, secretary of the Selby Civic Society, welcomed the organisation's backing. He said: "If it supports the arguments we have been making, then it's potentially helpful really. Anything helpful to our case is welcomed."

Wally Norton, chair of the council's planning committee said: "Planning committees have to make decisions, and we take into consideration all that we are advised to and also common sense in relation to the town centre generally, and usually come to a decision that is sound."

He added: "The Friends of the Earth concerns do not concern me, because the system does deal with applications the way that we should deal with them."

Dransfield spokeswoman Lindsay McLaren said: "The Morrisons development is an in-town development, in line with Government policy, and we have actively tried to consult with the civic society, and they have declined to meet with us so far."

Updated: 09:50 Tuesday, January 17, 2006