The fates of the competing plans put forward by Sainsbury's and Tesco were expected to be decided at a special meeting on Monday, but it will not take place until the end of this month at the earliest.

Agents DPP, acting for Tesco, want more time to prepare their proposal. They have been given until Wednesday to submit the final plans to Pendle Council.

Tesco's plan currently includes demolition of Colne Library and incorporating new library facilities in the development on the old Kippax Biscuits, market hall and Dockray Street car park. The site has eight different land owners, some of whom have stated they would not be willing to sell to Tesco.

Pendle Council planning manager Neil Watson said: "We wanted to deal with this as soon as possible, but are not yet able to consider the DPP proposal as they have not provided us with sufficient information.

"DPP first contacted us in December. I feel five months is more than enough time for them to gather all the relevant information. We have set a deadline, and by next week we will know how many applications we will be dealing with."

If Tesco meets next week's deadline, its plan will be considered along with the Sainsbury's scheme for the former Coach House Antiques site in Windsor Street, and plans for an as yet unidentified supermarket at Butts Mill in Barnoldswick.

They will be dealt with separately by the Colne and District and West Craven Committees, but councillors will receive strong recommendations and advice from planning officers. The meetings could take place at the end of this month, but are more likely to take place in early June.

Mr Watson said: "We're looking at the overall impact of the stores in the whole area. We will then make comprehensive recommendations to the councillors who will make the decisions. There certainly isn't the capacity in the borough for three supermarkets."

Tesco refused to comment on the plans, which remain the same as when they were presented to a packed public meeting at St John's Methodist Church in March.