Local people must have a vote on Sainsbury plan

IT’S as clear as can be that a large number of people in Salisbury don’t want to see a Sainsbury’s superstore disfiguring the green fields that have miraculously remained undeveloped alongside Southampton Road.
How can I justify that opinion?
From reading the Journal’s postbag over the last few months, from seeing the comments on its Facebook page, and from the numbers who have sent in objections to the planners, signed teenager Hamish Mundell’s petition, or taken part in cllr Richard Clewer’s survey.
And now from the Salisbury Vision’s strongly-worded letter to planners.
But what if the decision on this planning application isn’t made by local people?
What if, instead of being considered by councillors who know and love the area and understand the sensitivity of the site, the future of this unspoilt window on the city is left to the mercy of the county’s strategic planning committee, as I understand it may well be?
There are only three councillors from South Wiltshire on this body, and only one elected by residents of the city – that’s Bill Moss, who represents St Mark’s and Bishopdown.
He’s hugely experienced and widely respected, but as I say, there’s only one of him.
Some may argue that the reason we have a strategic planning committee is precisely so that large and potentially unpopular developments aren’t held up by Nimbys, softies, hippies, tree-huggers or whatever label you choose to disparage principled objectors.
One might understand, if not necessarily accept, that argument if we were talking about a new motorway, or a hospital, or some other vital facility deemed to be for the greater good of the community.
But a supermarket? No way.
Even if it does get turned down, I’m pretty sure that this will go to appeal and end up being settled by a planning inspector, because a) Sainsbury’s has invested so heavily in it and b) that’s what big business does.
I recently asked the firm whether it had made any approaches about building at Fugglestone Red, instead, since many people have suggested it as a better site.
A spokesman would not give me a ‘yes or no’ answer, but said: “Sainsbury’s chose to become part of the Salisbury Gateway project as this area of the city was previously identified by Salisbury Vision as appropriate for a gateway development.”
What rubbish. The Vision’s objections are now in print for all to see, and just to make it crystal clear, I’m told: “The Vision does not envisage improvements to this area would require or include a new large foodstore.”
This is a local issue, and it needs to be resolved locally.