Chamber hits out over Asda plan

11:00am Tuesday 18th December 2007

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THE president of Melksham's Chamber of Commerce has hit back at Asda's suggestion that it overwhelmingly supports the supermarket's plans to build a new store on land off the A350.

John Escott said the chamber still has serious concerns over the planning application and has made them known to Asda.

But despite this the supermarket giant, which is owned by US chain WalMart, issued a press release last week saying they had the full backing of the chamber.

Mr Escott, of Gough's solicitors, said: "We were clearly surprised then they did the press release saying the chamber was wholeheartedly in support of the proposals when they knew full well that we had potentially serious concerns about the logistics of it.

"That's not the position and we do have these concerns that we think should be addressed before the thing proceeds."

The Chamber of Commerce held a consultation meeting with local businesses about the plans on September 17.

Colin Harrison, chairman of the chamber, has written to Asda again outlining the concerns that came out of the consultation meeting including: probable congestion resulting from the access from the A350; better pedestrian access to encourage people to walk to the store; and the lack of provision of transport links such as a bus service between the store, town, railway station and surrounding area.