MEMBERS of the city council's planning committee have opposed plans to build an Asda on London Road.

The shock decision came at a planning and development meeting in the Guildhall on Monday, March 20.

Councillors previously supported the plans to build a supermarket, petrol station and coffee drive-thru on the green space near Hampton Park Roundabout but changed their minds after reading a new report which revealed the environmental damage it would cause.

A new survey of the proposed development site on London Road recorded 33 bird species. Eleven were “of high conservation concern”, and seven of these were breeding.

An ecological report submitted to Wiltshire Council said there would be “a significant adverse effect” on this local bird population from loss of habitat, nesting and foraging opportunities.

The roadside verge also houses a significant colony of pyramidal and bee orchids, while site surveys showed five species of bats, principally foraging along Green Lane, and a small population of legally protected lizards.

Salisbury Journal: Proposed Asda site.Proposed Asda site. (Image: HGP Architects)

The report said “mitigation and compensation measures”, including off-site habitat creation, would be required and agreed upon by the developers with Wiltshire Council.

Residents told the city’s planning committee that they value and enjoy the wildlife in an otherwise built-up area.

They voiced concern about the impact of light pollution and extra traffic on remaining wildlife and on nearby homes.

Salisbury City Council objected to building a petrol station less than 500 metres from the existing BP garage and commented "especially as petrol and diesel cars are to stop being sold in 2030."

Despite supporting the plans initially, concerns were submitted on August 11, 2022, but the planning committee said these "have not been addressed".

These included reduced opening hours, more EV charging points, installation of solar panels and water recycling, raised banking to shield homes from light pollution, coin-operated trolleys, and a lower speed limit on London Road.

Mayor Tom Corbin, who chaired the planning and development committee meeting, said: "I'd suggest it's an overdevelopment. The negative impacts as they currently are outweigh the positive impacts."

The City Council is a consultee on planning applications and can make comments but cannot make decisions, which are the responsibility of Wiltshire Council.

The committee also requested that the application be heard in Salisbury, rather than Trowbridge, to allow local people to attend.

Asda has been approached for comment.

To find out more about the proposed Asda application, visit https://bit.ly/3Zjq8Yx.