DEVELOPERS behind plans for a new Waitrose supermarket and housing estate in Chipping Sodbury have outlined why the project should go ahead, despite strong opposition from locals.

Director of Chelverton Deely Freed, Paddy Fox, was speaking at a sites inspection meeting of the former quarry site adjacent to Wickwar Road car park by South Gloucestershire Council’s planning committee on Friday.

He told councillors and a group of assembled local residents that the development at Barnhill Quarry would benefit Chipping Sodbury.

"This is a very special and unique site and Chipping Sodbury is a very special town," said Mr Fox. "We want to keep it that way and we want this development to make a positive contribution to the town."

The company, which has been working on the planned new supermarket for the past four years, has reduced the number of houses it wants to build from 190 to 170 and bought the former Lanes hardware store to create a mews-style link between the Waitrose store and the High Street including four new shops.

Mr Fox said: "There was concern about a pedestrian link so we bought this place to bring shoppers directly from the car park to the High Street.

"That will have very positive benefits."

Cllr Adrian Rush (Lib Dem, Chipping Sodbury) told the committee the plans had split the town.

"Some people are very worried about the High Street and some people want this development to improve the town and create more footfall," he said.

"Personally, I think if this was a town where you had to travel 15 miles to a supermarket I would be more worried about the High Street than I am.

"The fact is you have Tesco, Morrisons and Lidl down the road so this is a supermarket that will bring people to Chipping Sodbury and whatever they do while they are here, at least they are going to see our town."

A survey carried out by Sodbury Town Council found 435 people were against the plans, compared to 393 in favour. Many people have complained that the supermarket would see a reduction in the number of long stay car parking spaces from 170 to 92.

The inspection was ahead of a meeting to decide on the plans, which will be held at Nibley Court in Yate on Thursday, June 23 (3pm).