THE £1.6 million plan to overhaul Evesham High Street hinges on a decision by supermarket giant Tesco.

For the company has so far not agreed in writing to allow two bus stops to be sited in its Worcester Road car park - a key part of the scheme unveiled to town councillors this week.

And if they fail to do that, planners will be forced once again to go back to the drawing board for the second time in a matter of months.

The latest design involves a number of buses travelling up to the Tesco car park, with two additional stopping bays, therefore freeing up space in the High Street.

This idea is key to the functioning of the new plans and as yet is subject only to a verbal agreement.

County council spokesperson Sanina Kaur said: "Tesco has given us a verbal approval to have our vehicles on its site.

"If they eventually decide not to give this approval, then we will have to look at the plans again. We are unable to say whether this would delay the start time."

Tesco said it could not confirm the verbal agreement but issued a statement: "Tesco are in support of anything that will enhance the vibrancy of the High Street and will seriously consider the proposals."

Jack Hegarty, managing director of Wychavon District Council confirmed that if Tesco failed to agree to the extra bays, the scheme would have to be redesigned.

"I personally hope it will be agreed," he said. "I would like to see Tesco accessible to people by bus as well as by car."

Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, John Smith, has blamed a lack of space in the town centre for the current situation but was confident if Tesco did renege on the deal it would not mean the plans would have to be scrapped.

He said: "If the agreement with Tesco fails then we will have to leave the buses parked in the High Street, which we don't want to do.

"If it does delay the scheme it will not be by that much. I am confident that this detail will not hold the enhancement project up."

Planning officers from County and District Councils want to revamp the look and function of the High Street from Merstow Green all the way up to the Swan junction, with more of a pedestrianised feel, a slight increase in parking spaces for both disabled and non-disabled drivers, and a change in bus usage.

The plans, on which work is due to start in January next year, drew mixed reactions from councillors.