A BATTLE over plans for Chippenham town centre has broken out following the unveiling of new plans for the Flowers site.

The four-acre site, formerly a scrap merchant's yard, is the subject of a new outline planning application by owners the Flowers family. A previous plan for a superstore on the site was withdrawn after strong opposition.

The new scheme proposes housing, shops, offices and leisure uses for the prime town centre site.

But already the plan has raised fears the area could have too much new housing when Chippenham needs shops and entertainment venues instead.

Chippenham Town Council's planning committee was due to debate the scheme as an urgent item last night. Mayor Sandie Webb said the matter would probably require a special meeting because of the site's significance.

She said her first impressions of the plan suggested far too much housing.

"We have to fight for the ideal situation. If we start building housing in the town centre we reduce our chances in future years for expanding the town centre.

"It is well known the centre is not big enough to service the existing population of Chippenham and its catchment area."

Coun Webb said she wanted to see strong retail development, with leisure facilities such as a new cinema, a ten-pin bowling alley and a fitness centre.

This would encourage people into the town centre into the early evenings and improve the atmosphere of the area.

The Flowers site is one piece in a patchwork of possible development sites stretching from the police station in Wood Lane, down to the River Avon and the Hygrade factory.

North Wiltshire District Council is in the process of drawing up a comprehensive overview for the future of the whole area, to use as a guide when applications are submitted.

The draft brief was launched earlier this year when local groups and residents were invited to make a response.

The consultation revealed many people wanted leisure and shopping facilities in the area, as well as environmental improvements in the area fronting the river.

Philip Allnatt, a member of the town, district and county councils, spoke up for the needs of the people already living in the Paddocks, near the development site.

"We have to make certain any project does not harm the residents there," he said. "A new scheme should not be too overbearing we need to protect the quality of life."

He shared Coun Webb's view that the plan which had been unveiled contained too much housing.

"I shall be considering the plan very carefully. If it does not provide what the people of Chippenham want, I will urge the planning committee to refuse it," he said.

"The centre of a town should be predominantly shopping, entertainments and car parking. If we have housing it should be flats above shops."

Agents for the Flowers family, FPDSavills, could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, North Wiltshire District Council's Chippenham area committee is due to discuss the draft development brief, with amendments following the consultation, at a meeting on November 13.

The economic development department will reveal the amended brief to the public at an exhibition in Emery Gate, from November 20 to 27.