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PLANS for two new supermarkets in Amesbury were both approved in a shock move by district councillors last night.

Members of Salisbury District Council's northern area committee approved applications for Tesco and Asda, despite officers recommending both be turned down.

Tesco had submitted two virtually identical plans for a London Road store of 5,564 square metres, with 358 parking spaces, while Asda proposed a 6,131 square metre superstore with 360 spaces at Solstice Park.

The Asda plan was the one preferred by Stonehenge Chamber of Trade and by Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce.

Local traders have expressed fears that Tesco could harm town centre trade by opening sub-units within the store, such as a pharmacy or post office, although the firm has denied any intention of doing so.

Retail consultants had advised the council a superstore on either site would have a harmful effect on town centre trade and officers had argued a supermarket at the former Co-op site on Salisbury Street would be preferable.

But councillors felt that Amesbury needs another supermarket of some kind.

As the approval of the applications is against council policy they will now be referred to the planning and regulatory panel.

The next meeting of the panel is scheduled for 20 May. If the Panel is unable to consider the applications at that meeting, the next one will be on 10 June.

Under the Government's shopping directive, which regulates out of town shopping development the applications, if given the go-ahead by the panel, will then have to be referred to the Department of Communities and Local Government for final approval.

9:14am Friday 9th May 2008

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