The developer behind a planned Morrisons store for the Island says he is expecting a decision on a potential High Court action this week.

Citygrove, the company which wants to build a food store at the former HBC Engineering site in Halfway, put in a legal challenge to overturn LXB Retail Properties’ £25m transformation of Neats Court in April.

Citygrove had initially hoped to build a Sainsbury’s store in Power Station Road, but the supermarket pulled out of the scheme in March.

The first stage of the bid is that a judge at the Administrative Court will consider whether or not the give Citygrove permission to take its judicial review claim to the High Court.

Giles Haywood, of LXB, says they hope this decision will be made by the end of June but until they know whether the bid will get that far – their hands are tied.

Earlier this year, LXB announced that DIY giant B&Q, footwear retailer Brantano and home furnishings shop B&M Stores have all shown an interest in moving to Neats Court.

These would be in addition to a petrol station, KFC drive-through and family pub.

But because of the delay caused by the potential court action, Mr Haywood said there is no further news on whether the firms will be coming.

Andrew Rennie, of Citygrove, said: “We also hope that the High Court action will be determined as soon as possible.

“As we have previously said, we are not attempting to prevent a further food store opening on the Island.

“We are seeking for that food store to be located on the most appropriate site.”

Meanwhile, a resident who launched a petition against the legal bid said support for it is still growing.

Paula Garrett has already sent one lot of signatures to the Administrative Court, plus copies to Citygrove.

“The next lot of signatures won’t be sent off unless it goes to the High Court,” she said. “We are still collecting them, just in case, but hopefully they won’t be needed because we hope the Administrative Court will throw it out.”