SUPERMARKET shambles sounds like the name of a TV game show. It could be.

The format might be something like this. Take three planning applications for three big stores in one town and then see how big a mess the local council can make of it all. And how quickly.

If it was hosted in Christchurch it would be a reality show, as our story and previous coverage illustrates.

One of the companies involved is now considering legal action after having its planning consent granted, then withdrawn, as the council takes the whole shooting match back to committee in September.

The allegations and accusations are flying thick and fast (not least from politicians themselves behind the scenes) about exactly why this has descended so rapidly into a farce.

Between them the elected councillors and the paid officials need to get a grip of this toxic issue before it does even more damage to the authority’s reputation for competence.