Newport Council is making an eleventh-hour plea to supermarket chain Iceland to resolve a dispute in a bid to get the vital redevelopment of the city centre back on track.

Authority chiefs are asking the retail giant to once again consider moving to a different store and end its legal case, which the council says is delaying the appointment of a development partner for a new shopping centre in John Frost Square.

The food store served its claims for a judicial review in March, complaining the conditions of the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on its two city centre stores, granted in 2006, were no longer viable since the Friars Walk scheme proposed for the site was scrapped last June.

The case was lodged in London and transferred to Cardiff where a judge will decide if Iceland have a case on September 15.

Councillor Matthew Evans said it was extremely disappointing and frustrating Iceland continued to pursue legal action despite the council making every effort to find a solution to the situation.

He said the authority had “bent over backwards” to find alternative premises next door to one of its stores, had drawn up plans to show how the new building would accommodate both current stores and offered to pay their relocation costs.

He said: “I would appeal to them to work with us rather than against us as this legal case will be expensive and will not be of benefit to them, the city or other businesses long term.”

Deputy council leader Ed Townsend said the city centre redevelopment was a top priority and residents and businesses want and deserve a new shopping centre, which would revitalise the city centre.

Cllr Townsend questioned Iceland’s motives and said even if the company won the court case the authority intended to continue with the planned redevelopment and would begin the CPO process again with just their two properties.

The council’s managing director Tracey Lee, added: “This is not going to stop the inevitable, we will have a redeveloped city centre but we think the people of Newport deserve one now.”

Iceland was not available for comment.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Iceland talks are crucial

WE can fully understand why Newport Council is making a last minute plea for talks with Iceland over a dispute that is threatening the regeneration of the city.

Iceland asked for a judicial review over a compulsory purchase order on its two city centre stores which it says is no longer needed since the Friars Walk scheme was scrapped last June.

Next week a judge will decide if Iceland has a case but a ruling may not be made for months.

We really hope Iceland takes up the council's offer.

In our view these talks are crucial and could be key to kick-starting the regeneration of the city again.

Without an agreement from Iceland the city could remain blighted.

We can hardly expect Iceland to be sentimental, it is, after all a business, and must put its profits and future first.

But from what we can see the council has worked hard to try to accommodate the store, including offering it a store next door which meets all its requirements and does not fall within the compulsory purchase order area.

Without Iceland’s co-operation we can’t see how a developer would be keen to take over where Modus left off.

A plea by Newport Council to hold last minute talks - and in the process save a great deal of money from the public purse on a lengthy legal dispute - seems like a fair and decent option.

We hope the two parties can reach an agreement and get this crucial matter sorted once and for all.