The riverside site has stood empty since 1999

Sunderland's former Vaux Brewery has been the subject of a dispute between regeneration company Sunderland arc and Tesco, which owns the land.

Both have regeneration plans for the site and the final decision will be made by the Government in November.

Arc is looking for a new partner and Tesco has already found two partners.

Outline plans for the site are currently with the Planning Inspectorate and Department of Culture and Local Government following a public inquiry in July.

Arc is planning a �280m development of the site including offices, two hotels, houses and shops.

Tesco wants to build a store, hotel and apartments at a cost of �150m but also said it was drawing up alternative plans, which it hopes will strike a compromise with Sunderland arc.

'Ground running'

Operations director at Sunderland arc, David Walker said: "Opportunities of this scale and significance are rare in modern cities.

"By going out to market on this scheme early we hope to ensure we can hit the ground running when we get planning consent for the site.

"Our vision for the site will bring new employment and homes into the heart of the city."

Tesco's development partners for their scheme are Abstract Securities and Persimmon Homes.

Katherine Edwards, the supermarket's corporate affairs manager, said: "We have listened and learned from the people of Sunderland.

"The scheme is fully funded by us, with no financial assistance from the public sector. This, combined with the Tesco's ownership of the site, means that we can start on site as soon as planning permission is received.