A developer keen to build a new supermarket near Bradford Interchange has promised that a sizeable number of the 350 jobs will go to local people.

As a result it has won support from local regeneration project Trident, ahead of a crucial City Hall vote.

Asda St James originally floated its plans for a 65,000 square foot superstore at Nelson Street in 1998.

It withdrew the plan soon after, but has now reintroduced it and councillors at City Hall are expected to rule on it at the July planning committee meeting.

The plan allows for a new store on land opposite the Abbey National offices. It would occupy waste ground and also use the site of Wetherby Engineering, which would relocate to another city site under the scheme. Today Steve Hartley, chief executive of the Trident regeneration scheme, said members of the 24-strong board had discussed the planning application and had voted to support it.

The support follows promises that a substantial proportion of jobs would be earmarked for people living in the deprived New Deal for Communities area - Marshfields, West Bowling and Park Lane in Little Horton.

Mr Hartley said: "People are impressed by the approach of Asda St James in getting employment opportunities for local people and also putting money into a fund for health projects and education projects to benefit people in the area."

He said a similar Asda St James scheme at Seacroft in Leeds had guaranteed new jobs for locals in a Tesco store - who made up 60 per cent of the workforce. Half of these were previously unemployed.

When the plan for a superstore at Nelson Street was first proposed three years ago, city centre traders spoke out against it, saying it could affect their businesses.

It might also run counter to council planning policies.

Roland Stross, of Asda St James, said: "We are working very closely with Bradford Council to try to develop that site. We have had enormous success in Seacroft in creating jobs for long term unemployed and Trident seem to be very supportive."

He confirmed that the company had withdrawn the application previously but had now "reinvigorated" it and were hopeful it would be dealt with by planners in July.

He added that the company did not yet have one of the supermarket chains lined up to join the development.