Supermarkets plan to create 600 jobs
Both retail giants have now submitted official planning applications to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
Sainsbury's application for the Churnet Works site, which has been in the pipeline since the summer, has been amended following public consultation.
Both applications are expected to go before the district council's planning committee in April.
If plans are approved, both supermarkets could be built at the same time.
Sainsbury's will create 350 jobs, while Tesco will create 250 jobs at its proposed site off Buxton Road.
Amendments to the Churnet Works development include a roundabout which will replace traffic lights initially proposed for outside the store.
The number of proposed new homes has been reduced and 11 new employment units will enable existing tenants to remain on site.
Shopkeepers have already opposed both developments amid fears they will take away town centre trade.
Leek Mayor John Povey, pictured, said: "Unfortunately, a lot of people from Leek do their supermarket shopping in the Potteries.
"I think a new supermarket will keep people in town. I think there is enough trade to go around. The Tesco development would back on to people's gardens and could cause some controversy.
"Of the two I prefer Sainsbury's and I prefer their approach. They carried out public consultation before putting in their plans."
Instead of 136 apartments on the Churnet Works site, Sainsbury's now only aims to build 61 as well as more family housing. There will also be a frequent shuttle bus service connecting the site to the town centre and adjoining residential areas.
Developers say it will also enhance the setting of the listed bridge, adjacent Brindley Mill and Conservative Working Men's Club.
Michael Adenmosun, Sainsbury's regional development surveyor, said: "We have now submitted our application to the council and we believe the proposed development will provide a significant range of benefits to the community. We are looking forward to progressing with the application."
The Tesco plans are for a six acre site including the Adams factory, Eaton Houses office complex and Roche Villa, a two-storey house used as an after-school club.
A Tesco spokesman said: "A planning application has been submitted, but we have not yet started consultation. There are one or two land issues to deal with. It is more likely that work will start next year, rather than this year."
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