SUPERMARKET giant Asda has applied for permission to build a large store off Porton Road in Amesbury.

The 6,131 square-metre supermarket is planned for the eastern side of Porton Road between Mills Way roundabout and the London Road roundabout.

The planning application, which has been submitted to Salisbury District Council and is currently being studied by planning officers, also includes highway improvements and alterations to the roundabout at the junction of Porton Road and Sunrise Way, to increase its capacity.

The application comes in the wake of a warning by the Mayor of Amesbury, Councillor Fred Westmoreland, that Amesbury Town Council will "keep on plugging" to get more retail outlets into the town, including large stores. Town councillors who are also members of the district council, have met the district authority's planning officers to discuss the need to get Amesbury's retail base enlarged and strengthened as more and more houses are built in and around the town.

The mayor told fellow councillors at their November meeting they had left the district council in no doubt the town council will "fight to get what it needs."

He added: "We pointed out only 25 per cent of people who should shop in Amesbury because of where they live, actually do so.

"The remaining 75 per cent drive in excess of 20 miles to do their shopping with all the green issues this involves." Recent meetings of residents' associations around the town have called for more shops, larger stores and more food outlets as well as infrastructure to cope with hundreds of new homes being constructed in the town.

Mr Westmoreland said councillors were aware of residents' concerns and were doing all they could to get growth in the town's retail base.

This includes putting pressure on the owner's of the old Co-op shop in Salisbury Street to get the empty building back into use.