Campaigners in Royal Wootton Bassett fearing the demise of their High Street made a stand against plans for a supermarket and more than 300 homes on their doorstep.

Last month, Leda Properties Limited and Tesco Stores Limited lodged a formal application to build a 2,800 square metre supermarket, 320 new homes, a community hub of up to 500 square metres and a senior living development of 33 units alongside public open spaces on a site to the west of the Marsh Farm Hotel.

Concerned residents, local representatives and North Wiltshire MP James Gray gathered in the town centre on Saturday to encourage shoppers to join them in opposing the project.

Mr Gray said: “We are hoping that the council will see sense and reject the application. Even if it goes through we will keep fighting.

“We feel this will put money in the pockets of Tesco shareholders, but it will be very bad for Royal Wootton Bassett. We think the Tesco will damage the High Street quite significantly. It is a central part of what makes Royal Wootton Bassett a great community and great place to live.

“The new houses will put undue pressure on our schools, which are already full. There is no infrastructure in the town to deal with that level of traffic.

“It’s just an all-round bad planning application.”

Alan Mole, who owns Bassett Books, in the High Street, said: “If Tesco is built, the footfall – regardless of what products you sell – will be significantly reduced.

“The High Street will be dead. Once one shop closes another will close and almost overnight it’s going to be a domino effect. This could have a worse effect than the recession ever had.”

Residents can comment on the plans until September 30. Visit http://tinyurl.com/kfacd9b and search for 14/08060/OUT.