'Heart of town wrong place for superstore' (From Daily Echo)

'Heart of town wrong place for superstore'

WINCHESTER MP Mark Oaten has backed a campaign to stop a controversial Sainsbury's superstore opening in a Hampshire town.

'Heart of town wrong place for superstore'

He pledged support after a meeting with the Bishop's Waltham Action Group, which was set up by local independent shops worried that they would be put out of business.

The MP has promised to raise concerns voiced by local residents and businesses with Winchester City Council.

Mr Oaten said: "We are increasingly living in an era of large multinationals and whilst there is no doubt that Sainsbury's provide a superb service to millions of people it is important that we remember that small is beautiful too.

"I just don't think a Sainsbury's superstore is appropriate in the heart of Bishop's Waltham".

One of the issues the MP will highlight is the impact that delivery lorries would have on nearby villages such as Twyford, Droxford and West Meon - as these could be likely routes.

As reported in the Hampshire Chronicle hundreds of people attended three public meetings held by Sainsbury's bosses in the town last month to put the plans for the store on the Abbey Mill site under the microscope.

The news comes after a massive public consultation by the supermarket who are waiting for the results of 13,000 residents leafleted last month (July).

But bosses admitted that regardless of the result they would still submit a planning application as early as this month (August), which could see the store open by August 2010.

Households in the following electoral wards have been included in the consultation area: Bishop's Waltham, Cheriton and Bishop's Sutton, Upper Meon Valley, Droxford, Soberton and Hambledon, Swanmore and Newton, Wickham, Shedfield, Owslebury and Curdridge.

The 35,000 sq ft store would cover an area of land more than two times the size of an Olympic sized swimming pool and employ around 350 full and part time jobs.

On May 28 up to 500 people crammed into the town's Jubilee Hall to voice almost unanimous opposition to the building of a store.

For more information on the Bishop's Waltham Action Group visit bwactiongroup.org.uk