PLANS by supermarket giant Sainsbury's to build a store on the outskirts of Westbury would destroy its centre, town councillors have said.
The grocery chain and developer Persimmon Homes have submitted a plan to build a 2,500 square metre foodstore on land at Westbury Leigh by the new 800-home development.
But Westbury Town Council's planning committee voted against the plans on Monday, July 3, saying the store would sound a death knell for the town centre.
Cllr Bill Braid said: If this goes ahead it would be the last nail in the coffin of Westbury High Street. It has got to go somewhere in the town centre to encourage people to come into town and shop at the small shops as well.
need.
Cllr Neil Hawker said: It is not just the people in Westbury Leigh we have to think about. People in Westbury have said to me they would not like to see the town split. People are worried about the situation.
He said a corner shop could still be sited at Westbury Leigh to serve the new homes.
The committee decided to object to the plan because it would have an unacceptable affect on Westbury town centre.
David Thornton, managing director of Persimmon Homes, said: We have never pretended that the store would not damage any traders, but others would find it of a beneficial effect.
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