Plans for a Waitrose supermarket plans in Malmesbury can go ahead after Secretary of State Nick Boles said today that he will not be calling the application in for consideration.

In a letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government, sent to MP James Gray this afternoon, Mr Boles said: “I have carefully considered the above controversial proposal against the published guidelines, and am satisfied that, whilst locally controversial, the application does not raise issues of the wider strategic or policy nature envisaged by the call-in policy.

“I am therefore satisfied that the application should be determined at local level.”

Wiltshire Council voted unanimously to approve planning permission for the supermarket at the rear of the Avon Silk Mills in May.

However, the following day, it was announced that MP James Gray had requested the plans to be called-in for consideration, resulting in the government instructing the Wiltshire Council to hold its decision until after it had been reviewed at government level.

The supermarket plans are for an 18,000 square metre store and car park on green field land to the rear of Avon Mills, within the conservation area.

Concerns had been raised that run-off water from the site would increase the risk of flooding, however the chain revised its plans on site drainage.

Others expressed concern that the development would ruin views of the historic town.

Mr Gray said: "I am glad that I expressed the reservations of many local people about the planning application for a new Waitrose in Malmesbury, but perfectly accept the minister's ruling that it does not breach the planning law.

"I remain concerned about the impact which the new supermarket will have on Malmesbury High Street, but will now focus my attention on seeking to minimise any damage."

Town and Wiltshire councillor Simon Killane said: “This now is the end of the line.

"The supermarket war in Malmesbury for the last two years is now officially over, which I am very pleased about.

"I thought it would be very inappropriate for national government to decide this application as it would have completely contradicted the whole idea of localism.”