CAMPAIGNERS against the giant Tesco Extra planned for Northgate in Bridgwater are urging people to “oppose this planning application at once”.

Labour councillor Brian Smedley says he and fellow Westover councillors have consistently opposed the scheme.

They are encouraging people to formally register their concerns with Sedgemoor District Council.

Cllr Smedley said: “The people of Bridgwater have said all along that they do not need yet another supermarket and that this location is bad for the town centre and for local residents.

“The development going through would mean the destruction of one of the last green spaces in the town centre, lasting damage to traders in the town centre, a redistribution of lowly paid jobs around the town rather than the creation of well paid new ones , inconvenience and long term intrusion for local residents and traffic chaos.

“I would urge people to oppose this planning application at once and in the strongest possible terms."

Tesco says only 11% of Brewery Field would be developed, and that its proposals would create a far better play area for families and children.

The planning application can be viewed here. The application number is 08/12/00168.