Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Another new supermarket for Melksham ...
It is intended that there will be 28,500 square feet of retail space and parking for 250 cars. 300 new jobs are promised.

Following a consultation process ASDA submitted their planning application in December 2007 and here we are a year later with the WWDC planners appearing to be sitting on their hands. However, ASDA now say that they expect the plans to go to the WWDC planning committee early in 2009.

According to ASDA, "Feedback from consultation suggests many residents are currently leaving Melksham and driving to surrounding towns to do food and clothing shopping because they're dissatisfied with the current offer." ASDA claim 93% of people in Melksham support the application.

They go on to say, "The new store is predominantly for food goods but also includes the popular George clothing range. A single level outdoor car park will provide spaces for 250 cars. The proposal includes an all-directions entry point to the A350, which will be designed to improve traffic flow and provide easy access."

However, council officials are worried about the 'acccessibility' of the store and about the number of jobs it would provide for local people. In response Asda point out that with the shuttle bus in operation the shop would be easy to get to for all Melksham residents including those without cars, and that they have a record of helping long-term unemployed and those most disadvantaged in the labour market back into work.

According to a PR pack issued by ASDA, after a recent recruitment in Liverpool 60% of new employees taken on had been either long term unemployed or in receipt of incapacity/disability benefits.

It is intended that Countrywide Farmers will continue to operate in Melksham but, obviously, from a different site.

For more details click here.