MP backs campaign to stop Sainsbury’s (From Hampshire Chronicle)

MP backs campaign to stop Sainsbury’s

WINCHESTER MP Mark Oaten has backed a campaign to stop a controversial Sainsbury’s superstore opening in a Hampshire town.

MP backs campaign to stop Sainsbury’s

The Liberal Democrat pledged his support after a meeting with the Bishop’s Waltham Action Group, which was set up by independent shops worried that they would be put out of business.

The MP has promised to raise a number of concerns raised by residents and businesses with Winchester City Council.

Mr Oaten said: “We are increasingly living in an era of large multi-nationals and whilst there is no doubt that Sainsbury’s provides a superb service to millions of people it is important that we remember that small is beautiful too.

“I just don’t think a Sainsbury’s superstore is appropriate in the heart of Bishop’s Waltham.”

One of the issues the MP will highlight is the impact delivery lorries would have on nearby villages such as Twyford, Droxford and West Meon.

As reported in the Daily Echo hundreds of people attended three public meetings held by Sainsbury’s in the town last month to put plans for the store on the Abbey Mill site under the microscope.

The supermarket is also waiting for the results of a public consultation in which 13,000 residents were leafleted.

However, bosses have admitted that they would still submit a planning application as early as this month, regardless of the result.

That would mean the shop could be open as early as August 2010.

The 35,000 sq ft store would cover an area of land more than two times the size of an Olympic swimming pool and employ around 350 full and part time workers.

For more information on the Bishop’s Waltham Action Group visit bwactiongroup.org.uk.