SAINSBURY'S in Chippenham has been given the given the go-ahead to extend its store shop despite fears over a loss of parking spaces there.

North Wiltshire District Council's area planning committee approved plans for the extension at a meeting last week providing officers finalise plans for better cycling and walking links to the Chippenham store.

Sainsbury's agent David Lowen said the store needs a revamp because at around ten years of age, it is relatively old.

"Comment cards from customers have said it is a tatty store," he said. "We also need to improve the food offer at the store. It will give better choice and relieve overcrowding."

He said the temporary pharmacy in the car park is not acceptable, and the firm wants to move it inside.

The store wants to expand from 5,923 to 7,101 square metres. The bulk of the extension will be along the eastern side of the building, with some to the front as well.

The number of parking spaces will be reduced by 59 and the servicing area will be made smaller.

Mr Lowen reassured members the car park will still have 500 spaces, which could accommodate customers comfortably. He said the service area has been planned out to make sure lorries will be able to manoeuvre without difficulty.

But Coun Ross Henning said residents are worried the cut in parking space could lead to shoppers leaving their cars in nearby residential roads.

"The town council believes the loss of parking spaces is a cause for concern," he said.

Chippenham Without Parish Council is also concerned plans to make the western access a two-way road would cause congestion, because shoppers would have to share it with people travelling to McDonald's and Leapfrog Nursery.

But Coun Monica Blake said she supported the plan. "It's unfair competition among the supermarkets at the moment because Sainsbury's has not the services the others have," she said.

A retail impact assessment had concluded the extension would have little effect on the vitality of Chippenham and Corsham town centres.