PLANS for a supermarket expansion that would mean the loss of council-owned parking in Warminster have been thrown out by West Wiltshire District Council.

A planning application from retail giant Morrisons, which has a store on Weymouth Street, was refused unanimously by the planning committee on Thursday because it would mean losing 49 parking spaces from the western car park.

Town councillor Tony Nicklin said: “Every councillor supported Warminster’s policy that the community should not be sold out to a private developer – it is as simple as that. We are happy to support the extension provided it is on their property.”

Morrisons’ plans included increasing the amount of floorspace by a third to accommodate a 164-seat customer cafe, a larger cafe kitchen, more sales space and a larger warehouse.

The plans would have seen the store’s car park increase to offer 133 spaces – but they would not be for general use and would be closed overnight.

Cllr Nicklin said: “We are not being childish about it. It’s a simple issue that the western car park belongs to the community. It is for 24-hour use.”

Dan Keene, landlord of the Organ Inn in High Street, said: “I’ve got no problems with Morrisons expanding but it is down to the issue of car parking. Warminster is getting busier as a tourist route and less parking means less people will stop to visit.”

The plans were deferred in January for a public consultation and for information to be supplied about the exact number of parking spaces that would be lost.