Two supermarket giants have drawn up competing plans for a large development of shops and homes in New Barnet.

Plans by Asda and Tesco both include a supermarket, housing, shops and community facilities, and can be viewed at exhibitions in early June.

Asda property communications manager Tom McGarry said the development, at the former Transco gas works site, would modernise New Barnet, create 300 jobs, and draw shoppers to the area.

He added: "Early discussions with local representatives and council officers have been hugely constructive and we have worked hard to produce plans more in line with their feedback.

"We now want to move on to the next stage of consultation and listen to the views of local people."

Tesco corporate affairs manager James Wiggam said the Tesco development, between Victoria Road and East Barnet Road, would rejuvenate the area.

He said: "We want to know residents' views on our plans to bring new shops, homes and community facilities to the heart of New Barnet, so we are inviting everyone to come and see our proposals to let us know what they think."

But both Asda and Tesco will have a fight on their hands.

In a Times Series poll in February, 63 per cent felt the existing Sainsbury's in the town centre was sufficient, and almost all 300 residents at a New Barnet Community Association meeting in April opposed the plans.

Michael Griffin, 50, of Boleyn Way, said: "New Barnet town is really more like a village, and a proposal to put even one, let alone two, more supermarkets in such a tiny area, when we can barely move for traffic as it is, is beyond ludicrous.

"If Tesco or Asda were primarily concerned with doing something useful for the community, I would be all for it, but that's living in cloud cuckoo land."

Theresa Villiers, Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet, was equally critical.

She said: "I don't think we have the road space to deal with it and don't see how the junctions could be improved or amended to cope, so I shall be opposing the proposals."

A council spokesman said: "We have made it clear to Tesco and Asda any planning application they may make will not be approved unless it is appropriate in terms of size and design and its impact on traffic, health care and schools."

Asda's plans can be viewed at the Salvation Army centre, in Albert Road, on June 6 between 3pm and 8pm, and on June 7 between 10am and 4pm.

Tesco's plans will be at the Optex Building, 22 to 26 Victoria Road, on June 5 and 6 between 11am and 8.30pm, and on June 7 between 10am and 4pm.

u What do you think of the plans submitted by Tesco and Asda? Leave your comments under this article online at times-series.co.uk/news