HIGHWORTH town councillors have unanimously supported plans for a Co-op food store and public library.

Councillors accepted the application with the proviso that the layout of the Burbage Walls area be adjusted to ensure they conform to Highworth's historic boundary.

Councillors also agreed that Swindon Borough Council be requested to negotiate an agreement for the developer to provide a pedestrian crossing for Brewery Street to compensate for the increase in traffic the new store will generate.

Highworth people backed the plans after an exhibition went on public display.

They have long called for a new library to replace the dilapidated mobile building in High Street, which is currently serving the town.

The Co-op received planning permission for a smaller store in the architecturally sensitive Burbage Walls area of town in 1999.

In 2000 it submitted new plans for a supermarket with an extra 4,000sq ft of floor space.

At first they included modern materials such as a galvanised metal roof, which was given a hostile reception from both Highworth Town Council and Swindon Borough Council.

But later plans featured a store about the same size with a traditional brick and tiled roof.