Local Councillor calls on District Council to support retail and employment opportunity for Melksham

12.00.00am GMT Mon 29th Dec 2008

Melksham Councillor Jon Hubbard has condemned Officers on West Wiltshire District Council for recommending refusal of ASDA's application to build a new store and bring 300 desperately needed new jobs to Melksham.

The proposed development is to be discussed at the Planning Committee of WWDC on Thursday 8th January and officers have recommended refusal. Says Jon Hubbard, "Refusal of this proposed development is refusal of 300 jobs for the people of Melksham. It's refusal of the economic benefits of a major construction project and refusal of an estimated £4.1 million extra trade for Melksham town centre."

Cllr Jon Hubbard has written to every member of the planning committee at West Wilts urging them to support the development and refuting the grounds for refusal. Cllr Hubbard claims that rejection of this development would be another example of "protectionist planning by the Trowbridge based Tory run council."