THE developers behind a supermarket planned for land off Southampton Road say the proposal will make flooding in the area better rather than worse, despite the concerns of people living nearby.

The multi-million pound Salisbury Gateway project aims to build a Sainsbury’s store opposite the Tesco supermarket as well as an eight-pump petrol station and a 12-acre wildlife and wetlands area.

There will also be changes to Southampton Road, including modifications to the College and Bourne Way roundabouts at either end of the stretch.

An initial planning application for the project, which will create 400 jobs, was submitted in June 2012 but withdrawn following public consultation.

Another round of consultation was undertaken last year, and the developers are now looking to submit a second proposal in the next few weeks, which they say will alleviate flooding in the nearby area, which has been underwater for several weeks following recent bad weather.

Ian Culverhouse, director of developer Salisbury Site LLP, said: “We have listened to the comments we have had from the public.

“It will be better for our neighbours in Southampton Road in terms of flooding and there is nothing that will make it worse.”

The plan is to level out a car park that was sloping on the previous plan, which Salisbury Site LLP says will create an increased water storage capacity equivalent to five-anda- half Olympic-sized swimming pools.

And drainage pools will be included in the wetlands area, filtering water gradually back into the River Avon.

The new proposal also includes a lefthand filter lane to take traffic coming from the Alderbury direction off the road before it reaches the Bourne Way r o u n d a b o u t , where there would be another exit added to help ease traffic congestion in the area.

A new bus stop would be put in close to the store entrance.

Public access to the nature area would be restricted, with a walkway being put in to protect the area while allowing maximum views towards the cathedral.

A presentation on the plans is due to be given at a meeting of Clarendon Parish Council at the Holy Family Chapel in Whaddon at 6pm tomorrow.

Anyone is welcome to attend.