CAMPAIGNERS in Royal Wootton Bassett fearing the demise of their vibrant High Street came together to make a stand against plans for a supermarket and more than 300 homes on their doorstep.

Last month, Leda Properties Limited and Tesco Stores Limited lodged a formal application to build a 2,800 square metre supermarket, 320 new homes, a community hub of up to 500 square metres and a senior living development of 33 units alongside public open spaces on a site to the west of the Marsh Farm Hotel.

Concerned residents, local representatives and MP for North Wiltshire, James Gray, gathered in the town centre on Saturday to encourage shoppers to join them in opposing the project and formally object to it on the council’s website.

“We are hoping that the council will see sense and reject the application,” said Mr Gray, of Old Malmesbury Road.

“Even if it goes through we will keep fighting.

“We feel this will put money in the pockets of Tesco shareholders, but it will be very bad for Royal Wootton Bassett.

“We think the Tesco will damage the High Street quite significantly. It is a central part of what makes Royal Wootton Bassett a great community and great place to live.

“We want to make sure everybody in Royal Wootton Bassett is aware of the proposal and what it might mean for the High Street.”

He added: “The new houses will put undue pressure on our schools, which are already full. And there will be an increase in traffic which is already pretty bad. There is no infrastructure in the town to deal with that level of traffic. It’s just an all-round bad planning application.”

Alan Mole, who owns Bassett Books, in the High Street, said: “If Tesco is built, the footfall – regardless of what products you sell – will be significantly reduced.

“The High Street will be dead. Once one shop closes another will close and almost overnight it’s going to be a domino effect.

“It will be bereft of independent shops. We survived the recession but this could have a worse effect than the recession ever had.”

Mr Gray urged residents to stay hopeful and to continue campaigning to safeguard their High Street.

“I am 100 per cent opposed to this,” he said. “My gut instinct is that we stand a pretty good chance of winning.”

Residents can comment on or object to the plans on the website until September 30.

To view the proposals, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment.htm and search for 14/08060/OUT.