By Craig Evry

PLANS for a Sainsbury's store for Westbury Leigh were shelved after a heated debate on Thursday.

The joint application by Sainsbury's and Persimmon to take the store to Westbury Leigh was refused after district councillors labelled it excessive, at a meeting of the southern area committee.

The scheme was just part of a wider district centre plan for the area, which now looks threatened unless the shopping needs of the residents can be met.

Representatives of the Wessex and Westbury Chambers of Commerce put forward their view that if the supermarket giant was allowed to build the store, town centre trade in Westbury would effectively die.

Robin Wilson, of Westbury Chamber of Commerce, said: "To establish such a firm as Sainsbury's on the edge of town would have a detrimental effect on Westbury.

"Neither of these companies can genuinely say they have any interest in Westbury town centre regeneration."

Westbury town councillor Bill Braid also warned about the dangers of allowing the application through.

He said: "If the development goes ahead in Westbury Leigh and, as is proposed, parking charges go on in the town centre car park then this really will be the last nail in the Westbury coffin.

"I ask you how many will do their weekly shopping in Westbury Leigh then travel to the town centre and pay to park to get the odd thing. Not many."

However, the plan to build a 2499 square metre store with parking for 157 cars received approval from some members, with the claim that Westbury needed the supermarket to bring shoppers into the area.

Cllr John Annetts said: "The whole population of Westbury supports the businesses in Westbury. I am supporting the people of Westbury who have said to me for years and year 'we would like a Sainsbury's'. We now have a chance to have a Sainsbury's."

Cllr Gordon King also added his support for the project, saying: "This is the only type of inward investment being offered in Westbury.

"We shouldn't be afraid of competition and shouldn't be afraid of anything which enables shops to compete for that disposable income which should be spent in Westbury."

Objections were also raised about the proposed increase in traffic the superstore would bring to the town and surrounding areas, including Dilton Marsh.

Westbury town councillor Adrian Fox said Westbury's fragile town centre would not stand up to the competition of a Sainsbury's store.

District councillors refused the application, a move which it is feared could threaten the rest of the district plan.

The second application by Persimmon and Sainsbury's to establish the siting, layout and design of roads, car parking, a recycling centre and public open space in Westbury Leigh was deferred to allow more information to be gathered in the light of the failed Sainsbury's bid.

But Persimmon has indicated it will take the plan to appeal and ask a Government inspector to decide.