ASDA haulted

Resident won a battle to spot ASDA becoming the third supermarket in the small town of Chippenham. The town centre has already seen loss of trade with from the existing Sainsbury’s and Morrison’s that are located in the town.

ASDA planned to build a massive 52,000sq ft store residents strongly opposed because the high street would again suffer a further loss of trade and traffic congestion would increase. The town councillors rejected the plans last night.

President of Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, Gareth Jones, said: "Last month, Chippenham Chamber of Commerce received outline details of the revised planning application.

"We hold reservations over the need for a supermarket of this size on the site, and remain concerned about the potential negative impact on the independent traders in the town."

Town clerk Laurie Brown said:"We are worried about the amount of traffic that will be created in an area where there is already congestion.

"The store would have a big car park but there would be a lot of cars trying to get to it along roads that already have too much traffic."

"We already have Sainsbury's and Morrisons, which attract people out of the town. What we want to do is draw people into the High Street or traders there could start to feel the pinch."