Long-awaited plans to regenerate Langley Park industrial site in Chippenham now look uncertain.

Site owner Ashtenne’s plans, which were to transform a large part of Chippenham including Hathaway Retail Park, were permitted in principle by Wiltshire Council in December after a fight spanning several years.

These plans have been set back now that Hansteen, who acquired Ashtenne’s property portfolio, is marketing the Langley Park site for sale.

It is currently under offer and it is unknown what plans the potential new owner has for the site, but they are said to be unlikely to include a 38,000 sq ft food store, which promised to bring 300 jobs and was rumoured to be Asda.

The blow for the development follows Wiltshire Council’s decision last week to end its agreement with developers ING for the Bridge Centre site to be turned into an upmarket retail development.

Hansteen predicted the supermarket element of Langley Park would be dropped and the number of houses increased.

A spokeswoman said this week: “We have no plans to implement that development. It is unlikely they will include a superstore and likely they will increase the residential proportion. It is too early to say anything more.”

She hoped a sale would complete by the end of the year.

Ashtenne and Aberdeen Asset Management were expected to submit a full planning application within the next seven months after their outline application was successful in December. At the time Ashtenne said it was making a cinema a priority.

Chippenham town councillor Linda Packard said: “The leisure facility is of most concern; that is the crucial thing that Chippenham needs.”

Roger Backway, of Chippenham Civic Society, said: “It is disappointing that it’s all fallen through and we’re back in limbo again.”

But town councillor Sandie Webb said she would be delighted if a supermarket did not go ahead.

“I was never convinced it was the right thing,” she said.