The former managing director of Vaux has stepped into the row about what should be done with the former brewery site in Sunderland city centre.

Supermarket giant Tesco wants to spend more than �50m on what has been billed as England's biggest hypermarket.

But city councillors and a selection of government agencies want to create a �280m homes, leisure and business complex to rival the regeneration efforts in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Former Vaux boss Frank Nicholson has now given his support to the Tesco superstore plan, dubbed "a shed" by critics.

The store would be built on stilts

He said: "First of all, Tesco has ownership of the site, and ownership is 99% of solving a problem.

"They have produced a bold, imaginative, plan, that I find myself quite attracted to.

"I think if people work with them then something might come out of it that is very good indeed, something that is achievable and is there much sooner.

"We want to see new life, but sooner rather than later."

Award-winning architect Piers Gough has drawn up a scheme for the Vaux site, which rivals Tesco's plan for an 80,000 sq ft hypermarket built on stilts.

His vision sees the site used for homes, pedestrian piazzas and glazed walkways.

Jobs boost

Mr Gough, has been brought in by Sunderland Arc, the urban regeneration company comprising regional development agency One NorthEast, English Partnerships and Sunderland City Council.

The Arc plan features a �280m redevelopment of the 15-acre site, potentially creating 6,000 jobs.

Tesco also plans some residential and business development of the prime city centre site.

The Tesco plan, announced in September and now submitted for planning approval, features the 80,000 sq ft hypermarket, a 20,000 sq ft car park and associated apartments and offices.