Stephen Hallas, managing director of SPC UK in Stainsacre Lane has written to Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) to try to protect his company's interest.

His plea comes as SBC announced it was delaying a decision on Sainsbury's application which was due to be heard on Thursday.

Mr Hallas wrote to the council to state in the strongest terms his objection to the plans which would see his company close to make way for the supermarket giant.

He states: "We are a family business and have been based in Whitby since our formation in 2001 and currently employ 35 people in Whitby, almost all of them from the immediate local area.

"This is in addition to the 10 we employ at our more recently acquired Wiltshire operation.

"Our annual turnover in Whitby is £7.5m. We have flourished in the eight years we have operated in Whitby, growing from a zero start position to the sought-after position we have achieved.

"Without exception our competitors has become weaker in the past eight years, whereas we have grown in strength.

"As the economy recovers and prospects for manufacturing generally improve, we would be looking to extend our workforce still further, providing real semi-skilled and skilled job opportunities for local people.

"All this is at unnecessary risk if the Sainsbury's plan goes ahead."

He adds there is little hope of the business being able to move to another site in Whitby.

SPC UK is a leading manufacturer of rubber compounds, specialising in technically demanding, high quality products.

Scarborough Borough Council says it has delayed sending the application to its planning committee following the recent release by the Government of new guidance relating to retail development.

Pauline Elliott, the council's head of regeneration and planning said:"While we would normally try to deal with planning applications within the statutory targets set by government, the issue of this new guidance leaves us with no choice but to defer any decision until the implications of the new National Planning Policy are fully taken into account.

"Although we were aware the new PPS4 was in the pipeline, we were not anticipating its launch between Christmas and New Year."

As reported in the Whitby Gazette, Sainsbury's wrote to local residents accusing the council of "rushing a decision" on the application which it said the council was recommending for refusal.

An SBC spokeswoman could not confirm if the delay would change its officers recommendations.

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