Further consultation for controversial store (From Daily Echo)

Further consultation for controversial store

SUPERMARKET bosses are to hold a second round of consultations over plans for a controversial new store in a Hampshire town.

Further consultation for controversial store

Another 13,000 residents in and around Bishop's Waltham are set to receive details on improved plans for a Sainsbury's store at the Abbey Mill site this month (November).

Sainsbury's chiefs are also set to update residents on the results of the first consultation held last July, which contained a strong mix of views.

A Sainsbury's spokesperson, said: "With over 3,500 comments forms received, we are pleased that so many people have taken an interest in our proposals for Bishops Waltham.

"We are keen to deliver a store which respects the sensitive setting of the Abbey Mill site whilst meeting the need for increased main food shopping to enhance the local retail offer in Bishops Waltham."

Following the first round of consultation of 13,000 homes, more than a quarter of the forms were returned with views on the redevelopment plans.

But the Bishop's Waltham Action Group fears that the 35,000 sq. ft store will have a detrimental effect on independent shops and could put many out of business.

They also claim the store will bring high volumes of traffic and have an environmental impact on the Palace Ruins and South Pond, which are next to the site of the proposed superstore.

Henry Fryer, chairman of BWAG, said: "They are obviously still moving forward to build the store but we still think it's inappropriate for Bishop's Waltham.

"We look forward with interest to Sainsbury's further consultation and we remain opposed to a Sainsbury's store in Bishop's Waltham."

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

As previously reported in the Hampshire Chronicle, Sainsbury's bosses admitted that regardless of public opinion they would still submit a planning application.

If built the store would cover an area of land more than two times an Olympic-sized swimming pool and would employ about 350 people.

For more information contact Sainsbury's community information line on 0845 602 1151 or the Bishop's Waltham Action Group at bwactiongroup.org.uk.