A MOVE by the furniture giant Ikea to open one of its largest UK stores in Southampton could be in jeopardy.

Southampton City Council wants to develop land bought by Ikea on the Millbrook Trading Estate for light industrial, research and development or storage use.

Nearly two years ago Ikea was given planning permission to build a store on the site after the council originally allocated the land for retail use.

The Swedish company chose not to build when it heard that the former Pirelli site in West Quay Road may become available as an alternative. Unlike the Millbrook site, Ikea has no say in the future of the Pirelli site and it could yet prove unsuitable.

At a public inquiry yesterday into the Southampton Local Plan, the blueprint for development of the city, the council reiterated its latest view that the Millbrook site should not be developed for retail.

The council's economic development manager, Jeffrey Walters, presented a 'worst-case scenario' when he argued the Millbrook site should not be given over for retail.

He said: "The south-east region is recognised along with London as being the most successful economic region in the UK. Southampton, along with much of urban south Hampshire, has been identified as performing as strongly as the rest of the region."

Representing the council, barrister Simon Bird argued that employment land should only be released for retail where it is surplus to requirement.

He said: "The site is ideally placed to perform a vital role in the economic development of the city."

Chartered surveyor John Stephenson, representing Ikea, argued that allowing the Millbrook Trading Estate for retail would make no difference to the supply of land in the city as there was adequate to meet existing demand and attract new investment.

Mr Stephenson said: "There is a pressing need for retail land within the locality. I feel there is no prospect of repeating the sort of development that has occurred in Southampton over the last ten to 15 years. I consider the loss of the Millbrook site will have no impact on the overall land supply position."

Ikea barrister Neil King added: "When the site was allocated for retail, there was no indication that the employment land situation was critical. There is no justification for it now to be allocated for B class uses.

Government planning inspector Christina Downes is expected to complete amendments to the city plan later this year.