Council bosses recently selected the consortium of Tesco, Bellway Homes and Gentoo as its preferred bidder to completely revamp the shopping centre, housing and community facilities.

But officials of the Tyne Crossings Alliance claim local residents have not been properly consulted about the plans.

Alliance members, who previously opposed the £260m second Tyne Tunnel scheme, are opposed to retail giant Tesco creating a large store in Hebburn town centre and warn of increased traffic problems as a result.

Paul Winch, from Hebburn, Alliance co-ordinator, claims the new store will simply attract car-based shoppers from other major stores in the area, such as Morrisons in Jarrow, Asda at Boldon Colliery, and Aldi at Pelaw.

Mr Winch said: "Why should Hebburn residents be expected to put up with this?

"Traffic is already excessive on Victoria Road West, and this traffic will increase substantially when the new tunnel opens.

"Why add more? This will cause congestion and stifle development."

The group has also raised questions about the quality of consultation about the town centre scheme.

Mr Winch added: "Public consultation must be accountable to the public and not comprise remarks made at area forums."

The Tyne Crossings Alliance has made its detailed submission as part of the public consultation exercise into the ambitious town centre scheme.

Coun Eddie McAtominey, the council's lead member for jobs, enterprise and regeneration, said: "Mr Winch and the Tyne Crossings Alliance were previously opposed to the second Tyne Tunnel, and have now turned their attention to Hebburn town centre.

"But I have found there is huge support for this scheme from existing tenants, prospective tenants and the general public.

"What I find when I walk around the town is that people are talking about the transformation of their town, and say such a scheme is long-overdue."