HUNDREDS of people went to a public consultation event on plans for a new Asda store held at Hampton Park Pavilion on Saturday.

The supermarket firm is seeking permission for a store with 40,000 sq ft sales space on land off London Road near Bishopdown Farm, which would create 300 new jobs.

The plans also include a petrol station, home shopping service and an area of land for community use – which could be a facility such as a doctor’s surgery or left as open land for dog walkers.

Chris Tookey from Asda’s planning agents RPS said: “We know that many people in Salisbury travel to the Andover store and say this can be quicker and easier than shopping in Southampton Road.

“The north of Salisbury is not served by a supermarket and Asda will bring more balance, choice and competition.

“We will do a full traffic assessment but have every confidence in this plan.

“There will also be pedestrian access for local people.”

The height of the railway bridge over London Road has raised questions, but Asda says its delivery lorries will be coming from the ring road.

Asda already owns the land – called Salisbury Retail Park – and planning permission was previously granted for retail use, although the supermarket chain will need to go through the full planning process.

Although Asda representatives said the feedback had been “generally positive” and many people have supported the new store, not all Bishopdown Farm residents have welcomed the plans.

“London Road is already backed up at peak times and we dread it becoming another Southampton Road if this supermarket opens here,” said one resident. “We are already having another 300 new houses built here and the traffic will only get worse.

“Where does Asda think its shoppers will come from? They will be travelling from other parts of Salisbury and obviously coming by car.”

Asda hopes to submit its planning application to Wiltshire Council in the next two weeks.