CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish one of the Co-op stores in Wroughton have been put on hold.

The news, confirmed this week, will be welcomed by many in the village after a planning application was submitted by The Midcounties Co-operative at the end of August detailing their proposals to demolish their High Street store to make way for the construction of 12 houses.

The plans were initially met with much dismay from locals - many voicing their anger at the lack of communication from the Co-op to inform residents and parish councillors about the future of the popular supermarket.

Under the plans, the Midcounties Co-operative Society wanted to build two three-bedroomed houses and 10 two-bedroomed apartments on the site neighbouring Nursery Close.

Gould Singleton Architects, which had been acting on behalf of the Co-op, confirmed last month that the Co-op store in Devizes Road would have remained open and that some form of Post Office provision would remain in Wroughton but could not elaborate on where it would be located.

The plans, which go against the Wroughton Neighbourhood Plan, would have seen a total of 16 parking spaces created - something which the council’s highways and transport department say falls 20 per cent short of parking standards.

Concerns over the lack of bicycle storage was also raised by residents as no such facility was outlined in the plans.

Stephen Harcourt, who chairs Wroughton Parish Council, said he was thrilled to hear that the application had been put on hold.

“We have had a meeting with the Co-op and we are very pleased that they have put this on hold while they consider what their options are for the store," he said.

“As a parish, we would prefer it if retail was kept on the site in some form but some redevelopment with some residential aspect we would find acceptable.

“Our main feeling is one where we are glad that the main application is being put on hold.

“We hope that we are going to be able to work together with the Co-op for the proposals going forward and they have listened to our concerns.

“The application caused a lot of concerns in the village over what would happen to the Post Office and the loss of the shop itself.

“We do take a big interest in planning in the village and one thing that the Neighbourhood Plan process made a lot of people more aware of the planning procedures and that communities can shape planning but not as much as they would like.”

A spokesperson for The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “We continually review our estate and look at options across our trading areas. Our Wroughton High Street store is trading well and there are no plans to review this store at this time.”