The town centre plan with notes stuck to it indicating areas to which people objectedA CONTROVERSIAL 60ft extension jutting out from the One-Stop shop in Devizes Market Place has been ditched because of a public outcry

Consultants acting for Kennet District Council were stung by the depth of feeling against the idea at a public

exhibition on proposals for the revamping of the town.

More than 200 residents went to see the plans, which outlined how key town centre sites could look in the

future. Critics said the bulge would have changed the shape of the Market Place from its late 14th-century origins.

Barry Williams of consultants Gillespies said: "We have come to the conclusion that this proposed building is not the best building for Devizes. One or two people thought it was a good idea but everyone else we spoke to did not."

Gillespies had thought the building could include a new library, internet caf and art gallery.

But it was not just the bulge which stirred up local feelings. The anticipated loss of car parking proved to be another contentious issue.

Free spaces could be lost in the Market Place and spaces could also be lost in the three main car parks Station Road, West Central and the large park to the rear of the Tesco store. Gillespies also proposes new lighting, paving and signs for the Market Place, despite this being done two years ago.

A supermarket was suggested on a number of sites including Station Road car park, the Northgate and West

Central car park.

The plans also included pedestrianising Maryport Street, building houses in Sheep Street and moving the library to another location. Housing is also proposed in several options for both Station Road and West Central car parks.

Also on display were plans for The Wharf drawn up by British Waterways.

The plans could include extending the Wharf Theatre and providing a

licensed restaurant or relocating it next to the car park. The existing

hospital site could be used to build a hotel or other leisure buildings.

Mr Williams said: "People have expressed their concern about car parking and how we deal with that but there were areas of consensus about how to make the open spaces better and people would like to see more choice of shops. It was good to get people's views."

The blueprint that Gillespies is drawing up is being paid for by the South West Regional Development Agency. Devizes was chosen as one of the towns in the Government's Market and Coastal Towns initiative.

On Friday, invited groups met with the consultants in closed session, and Gillespies will now draw up more detailed plans for one or two sites. They will be made public in mid-July and another exhibition will be held.

Retired vicar Brian Tigwell and his wife Mary, of Lansdowne Crescent,

Devizes, liked what was proposed for the West Central car park but remained concerned about whether there would be enough car parking.

Mr Tigwell said: "It's very important that we have more car parking in the centre of town. I believe there's potential for a multi-storey car park at the back of the One Stop shop.

"The whole of the Market Place has been revamped at vast expense and if it were churned up now it would be quite appalling. A lot of what the consultants have presented is a fancy scheme."