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300 new jobs as Asda gets go-ahead

9:47am Friday 9th January 2009

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A SUPERMARKET chain has been given the go-ahead to build a £25m store in Melksham which will create 300 jobs.

West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee approved plans for the store on the Countrywide Farmers site, off the A350, at a meeting last night.

The store's application will now have to be approved by the Secretary of State before building work can commence.

Cllr Rod Eaton, who sits on the committee, said it would be 'crazy' to turn down the supermarket giant.

"In the present economic climate it would be crazy to vote against Asda for Melksham.

"I have heard only support from traders for the application."

Asda's plans for the 28,500 sq ft store, which would have included 255 car parking spaces, had been recommended for refusal by planners at West Wiltshire District Council for a number of reasons, including the likely impact on traffic congestion on the A350, the potential to drain trade away from Melksham town centre and the proposed location next to Melksham Sewerage Works.

As part of the plans, Countrywide Farmers would have moved from its current location to the former grain mill a matter of yards away.

What do you think about Asda coming to Melksham? Leave a comment below.

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Your Say YourWiltshire Times

The Voice Of The Silent Majority, Melksham says...
10:04am Fri 9 Jan 09

This is really good news, if someone in the current climate wants to create a new store and employ local people on a soon to be disused site then I'm all for it, A350 or no A350.

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elmerloo, melksham says...
11:45am Fri 9 Jan 09

what agreat result for melksham and for commonsense in these troubled times. lets us hope that the secretery of state aggrees and work can go ahead very quickly.well done to all involved in getting this through.cant wait for asda to open and visit countrywides new store.

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downtoearth, Westbury says...
12:00pm Fri 9 Jan 09

Woooooooohoooooooo things are looking up for Melksham.

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Richard Wiltshire, Melksham says...
12:56pm Fri 9 Jan 09

Well done all thoes who helped achieve this result. The next hurdle is determination by the Secretary of State, we have council and community backing but we will need to present a strong case to gain approval. We hope that minor issues such as the smell of baking bread wafting across the sewerage works will not be a problem for the workers there. Your council believe that this scheme will be good for shopper confidence in Melksham and therby other retailers in the town; good for our long established Countrywide store; good for ASDA; and good for the employment and prosperity of the area.

Richard Wiltshire
Mayor of Melksham

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softcheaks, melksham says...
1:53pm Fri 9 Jan 09

I was initially against the development as I like to shop in the town, but confess to enjoying the larger supermarkets on occasions and having ASDA on our front door can only be a good thing, not only will it bring those who tend to shop in Trowbridge or Chippenham back into the town, as least I will be able to buy freshly baked bread on a Saturday morning! Question to Clr Wiltshire, pedestrian access was previously raised as an issue, but could a route within the canal development be proposed? - I appreciate ASDA and the waterways timescales might be slightly different, but lets not loose a potential opportunity. Whilst on, I hope the town also supports the high street improvement works, due to recommence next month, with the loss of yet another prominent store in the town we should all back such long overdue town improvement, no matter how inconvenient the works may be - lets look long term instead of dwelling on recent bad times.. I am glad the ASDA news brings some New Year cheer to the town!

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WalterMc, Freshford Nr Bath says...
3:09pm Fri 9 Jan 09

As long as it doesnt interfere with the brilliant MOT centre just next door!

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Public Spirit, Wiltshire says...
9:40pm Fri 9 Jan 09

I wonder if Daryl has any sour comments now the majority of local councillors have backed Asda???

Good news for Melksham. Good news for common sense. Bad news for red tape mongers...

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Public Spirit, Wiltshire says...
9:46pm Fri 9 Jan 09

I note that this new article does not mention the free two-way town/Asda shuttle bus service Asda will provide. It was promised at the planning meeting. Yet again Good for Melksham!!

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froglady, Broughton Gifford says...
10:50pm Fri 9 Jan 09

Well done all the ASDA supporters.
Great news for Melksham. It will certainly save me visits to Longwell Green. Here's to the revitalisation of Melksham.

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Public Spirit, Wiltshire says...
2:00pm Sat 10 Jan 09

I think a resounding WELL DONE is due to the vast majority of Melksham and District councillors!!!

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daryl1957, Bowerhill says...
4:16pm Sat 10 Jan 09

Public Spirit wrote:
I wonder if Daryl has any sour comments now the majority of local councillors have backed Asda??? Good news for Melksham. Good news for common sense. Bad news for red tape mongers...
I always have 'sour comments' about incompetent and corrupt politicians.

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Public Spirit, Wiltshire says...
7:52am Sun 11 Jan 09

Well hello Daryl and I thought you'd moved away already. No luck with the move then?

Quote from Daryl-Speak
"I always have 'sour comments' about incompetent and corrupt
politicians."

Abreviated and more honest version from Daryl Speak:

"I always have 'sour comments"

And it came to pass that Asda was granted permission by the 'corrupt, lazy and incompetent" polticians so Daryl had to find something else to moan about to maintain his reputation as a "squeeky clean, hard working and competent serial twaddle monger!!"


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mrs bucket, melksham says...
4:07pm Sun 11 Jan 09

What fantastic news for Melksham,it makes a change to have something here rather than having it all in Trowbridge or Chippenham,well done to everyone for all there hard work,lets hope other retailers follow Asda and come to Melksham.

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Public Spirit, Wiltshire says...
8:13pm Sun 11 Jan 09

I am very pleased to see the welcome that Melksham people are giving the decision of the District Planning Committee to grant permission for Asda.

This is surely an incentive for Melksham councillors to ensure that the best possible submission is made to the government for final acceptance by previously sceptical council planning officers.

My advice to Melksham people is to seek to support your councillors who fought for the Asda development and give a big thumbs down to the odd traitor!

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markrg, Trowbridge says...
8:26pm Sun 11 Jan 09

Lets not forget that both District and County Councils were set against this proposal, and we can only assume this was to keep the good stuff for Trowbridge, but, your Melksham Councillors, bar Sarah Cardy, spoke for the development and up to 300 jobs it will bring. Time will prove us to be correct in that the town, with effort from local traders, will prosper. The future, in difficult time, is bright, and green!?

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The Writer, Local says...
9:41am Mon 12 Jan 09

Total waste of time. Melksham already has a Lidl, Aldi, Sainsburys and Sommerfield. What use is another large chain store in a small run down town. Its good news for jobs, but how many will be lost through smaller establishments having to close because of these large chain stores?

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rabuf, Melksham says...
4:58pm Mon 12 Jan 09

The Writer wrote:
Total waste of time. Melksham already has a Lidl, Aldi, Sainsburys and Sommerfield. What use is another large chain store in a small run down town. Its good news for jobs, but how many will be lost through smaller establishments having to close because of these large chain stores?

Have to disagree, as far as I'm concerned, Melksham still has just a Sainsburys and Somerfield.

I've given Lidl a couple of goes since it opened, but won't be using it for my weekly shop; I just can't get on with the place and in all honesty the majority of prices are not as good as people think.

Well done to Asda for having confidence in a Melksham based site.


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Suej, Semington says...
7:25pm Mon 12 Jan 09

GREAT! Best thing that's happened to Melksham in a long time.
WELCOME ASDA - can't wait!
After so many planning refusals someone finally had the sense to realise bringing new shops to Melksham is the thing to do and won't kill of the town centre - which is already dead and has been every since I've lived here 40+ years!
Good for jobs - good for me - will now shop in Melksham instead of HAVING to go elsewhere to get a decent supermarket.

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daryl1957, Bowerhill says...
5:20pm Tue 13 Jan 09

Public Spirit wrote:
Well hello Daryl and I thought you'd moved away already. No luck with the move then? Quote from Daryl-Speak "I always have 'sour comments' about incompetent and corrupt politicians." Abreviated and more honest version from Daryl Speak: "I always have 'sour comments" And it came to pass that Asda was granted permission by the 'corrupt, lazy and incompetent" polticians so Daryl had to find something else to moan about to maintain his reputation as a "squeeky clean, hard working and competent serial twaddle monger!!"
Dear Pubic Sprit
Sorry about the spelling.
I am amazed you think you know so much about me. I am sorry to have to say that apart from the 'serial twaddle monger' bit, the rest of the character opinion is totally inaccurate......:-p

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Public Spirit, Wiltshire says...
3:09pm Wed 14 Jan 09

I am happy to be corrected on this. Very honest of you, Daryl

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Munky, Melksham says...
12:01am Mon 19 Jan 09

Do we really need another supermarket that side of town we already have 4 that end. There is nothing in the bowerhill area where we need something. Asda is only 7 miles from us in trowbridge. Why have all the valid objections been swept under the carpet and not addressed.

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Public Spirit, Wiltshire says...
8:36am Fri 23 Jan 09

Munky is concerned about travel across town but has no problem travelling to Trowbridge. Takes all kinds I suppose. The only real supermarket in Melksham is Sainsburys and it badly needs real competition. Little Coop, Aldi and Lidl hardly get on the radar. Somerfield beats the do gooder Coop and the box stackers but again small beer.

On the subject of objections, as I read it, these were considered by councillors to have been non-starters as they overturned the planning officers recommendation. Perhaps Munky would rather have the faceless bureaucrats decide the fate of our towns in Wiltshire. Why bother with elections at all then?... All we need is local commissariats.

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The proposed plans for Asda off the A350 in Melksham The proposed plans for Asda off the A350 in Melksham

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