The challenge concerns the council's adoption of a unitary development plan that Tesco argues fails to clarify the site's future and is hindering regeneration.
Sunderland Arc received permission for its mixed-use scheme on the Tesco-owned site in March when former communities secretary Ruth Kelly overruled an inspector's refusal of the scheme, (Planning, 6 April, p4).
Tesco wants a supermarket-led plan but its applications have been unsuccessful. Its High Court challenge is likely to be heard next year.
