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Chamber hits out over Asda plan
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.
11:00am Tuesday 18th December 2007
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CommentPosted by: Walter McCabe, Freshford on 11:46am Tue 18 Dec 07
The way this lot are going there will be no countryside left twixt Melksham and Laycock!
The way this lot are going there will be no countryside left twixt Melksham and Laycock!
Posted by: walter, wilshur on 4:21pm Tue 18 Dec 07
Chamber of Commerce be fighting a losin' battle! Remember when Melksham had a cinema, several outfitters, International Stores, WH Smiths, etc? Now there's little else but estate agents and charity shops. Course folk want nice big supermarkets with plenty of (free!) parking.
Chamber of Commerce be fighting a losin' battle! Remember when Melksham had a cinema, several outfitters, International Stores, WH Smiths, etc? Now there's little else but estate agents and charity shops. Course folk want nice big supermarkets with plenty of (free!) parking.
Posted by: chris, melksham on 5:00pm Tue 18 Dec 07
I'm sure the council are really out to ruin melksham, i mean what does melksham have to offer? take aways estate agents and charity shops... we always travel to asda trowbridge to do our shopping as do most of our friends as sommerfields and sainsburys are very expensive, also the only place for clothes is peacocks which is not to everyones taste, come on council, wake up and dont keep melksham in the past!!
I'm sure the council are really out to ruin melksham, i mean what does melksham have to offer? take aways estate agents and charity shops... we always travel to asda trowbridge to do our shopping as do most of our friends as sommerfields and sainsburys are very expensive, also the only place for clothes is peacocks which is not to everyones taste, come on council, wake up and dont keep melksham in the past!!
Posted by: Jaysay, Melksham on 1:31pm Wed 19 Dec 07
Errm...the Chamber of Commerce is not the Town Council. As far as I know, the Town Council Planning Committee hasn't debated this yet. And the site is not on a green field, it is on a brown field site previously occupied by Countrywide Farmers. Let's get our facts right, guys. ASDA for Melksham sounds good to me provided they provide access for pedestrians, though there could be associated traffic problems on the A350.
Errm...the Chamber of Commerce is not the Town Council. As far as I know, the Town Council Planning Committee hasn't debated this yet. And the site is not on a green field, it is on a brown field site previously occupied by Countrywide Farmers. Let's get our facts right, guys. ASDA for Melksham sounds good to me provided they provide access for pedestrians, though there could be associated traffic problems on the A350.
Posted by: Public Spirit, Wiltshire on 5:46am Sun 23 Dec 07
Well posted Walter W, chris and Jaysay!!!!
Look how prosperous Chippenham is with two excellent 'out of town' superstores. For Melksham, a 'head in the sand' tradition has prevailed for just too long and stifled trade and business for the town!
Chippenham has also removed parking charges over Christmas...good move!! Asda will bring trade and, as Walter W wisely said, good parking. Who are all these pedestrians who need access then, Jaysay? I really cannot see more than a tiny miority of people carting their weekly shopping around on foot!!
Well posted Walter W, chris and Jaysay!!!!
Look how prosperous Chippenham is with two excellent 'out of town' superstores. For Melksham, a 'head in the sand' tradition has prevailed for just too long and stifled trade and business for the town!
Chippenham has also removed parking charges over Christmas...good move!! Asda will bring trade and, as Walter W wisely said, good parking. Who are all these pedestrians who need access then, Jaysay? I really cannot see more than a tiny miority of people carting their weekly shopping around on foot!!
Posted by: Jaysay, Melksham on 8:16am Mon 24 Dec 07
There'll be a lot more pedestrians shopping everywhere when the oil runs out, or the next fuel rationing comes in!
There'll be a lot more pedestrians shopping everywhere when the oil runs out, or the next fuel rationing comes in!
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