THE Government will not order a public inquiry into a controversial superstore plan for a Hampshire town.

The Department of Communities and Local Government has declined to “call in” proposals for a new Sainsbury’s store in Bishop’s Waltham passed by Winchester City Council recently.

It means that the last major obstacle to the development at Abbey Mill has been overcome.

Peter Watson, of the pro-group Bishop’s Waltham – Another View, said last night: “I’m delighted. We feel it is the right decision. It is clearly a shot in the arm for localism, that Winchester council’s decision has been agreed with and hasn’t been called in for a public inquiry.”

The plans had divided Bishop’s Waltham with Sainsbury’s promising the scheme would bring 350 jobs to the town as well as a new doctors’ surgery on the same site.

But opponents formed the Bishop’s Waltham Action Group and fought the proposal, claiming the development would squeeze out High Street traders.

They even attracted the vocal support of Britain’s Got Talent star Amanda Holden who grew up in the town.