Tesco's controversial plans to expand its Abingdon store are to be decided at a public inquiry.

The supermarket chain wants to knock down its garden centre in Marcham Road to make way for an extension to the main store.

An extra 180 car parking spaces would also be provided.

A date for the inquiry has still yet to be set, but the Vale of White Horse District Council said it would be late summer or early autumn.

The plan has provoked fierce opposition from the town's chamber of commerce whose members fear a bigger store selling more non-food goods could sound the death knell for small independent businesses in the town centre.

Chamber president Stuart Bates said: "There is a general concern over the vitality of the town and there are concerns over the impact that the expansion would have."

Tesco announced its plans at the beginning of last year. Reports by consultants from both Tesco and the district council said an expanded supermarket would have no significant effect on the town centre.

The scheme was recommended for approval by planning officers, but councillors voted to reject it. A second application five months later was also thrown out.

Residents in the area welcomed a decision to hold an inquiry, but expressed concern that the cost to district council tax payers could spiral.

Raymond Eagleton, of Darrell Way, said: "I don't think it should cost anything, it should be for free and they certainly should not be spending my money."

However, Mr Eagleton believes Tesco is large enough and should not expand further.

The 64-year-old said: "It's obviously going to affect the small businesses in the town centre."

Vale spokesman Victoria Tilley said: "The cost of an inquiry to the council is difficult to calculate because it involves a varying amount of officer time as well as the cost of hiring a barrister and other expert witnesses, such as retail consultants, to present the case. We have not had a recent public inquiry of this type for comparison.

"All that can be said with any certainty is that it is likely to cost the council several tens of thousands of pounds. This ultimately comes from council tax."