Hundreds back plans to save Newport from developers

Hundreds of people in Newport have backed an internet campaign opposing plans for hundreds of homes, a supermarket and a business park.

They have launched a campaign against proposals for a multi-million pound plan to develop land off the A518 bypass and a separate site off Station Road.

The proposals also include improvements to Burton Borough School, which would be funded through a Government Building Schools for the Future grant.

The new supermarket off Station Road in Newport could be up to 60,000 square feet – 50 per cent larger than Sainsbury's in Telford.

Despite developers claiming the supermarket would create more than 500 jobs, residents have set up a campaign website and more than 400 people have signed a Facebook page to support the campaign.

The supermarket and petrol filling station have been earmarked for land off Station Road with 800 houses and a business park earmarked to be built on land across sites at Audley Avenue.

Bronwen Jones, who set up the website called Save Newport, claimed the development could destroy the town's economy.

She said: "The main objections are using rural land to build on and adding even a huge supermarket chain to the peripheral of the town subsequently affecting small local businesses.

"We are in danger of losing our identify and turning into another commercial generic hole only fit for housing or shopping.

"Why not build houses on the brown sites in Newport which would be a lot more central and convenient to local shoppers?"

Councillors in the town have also hit out at the plans and called for them to be thrown out.

Councillor Adam Stanton, for Newport West on Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "The proposal, put before the town's borough councillors last November, was similar to plans currently being put to the public but with a smaller number of new homes.

"The plans were stopped at the drawing board stage."

Councillor Adrian Meredith, for Newport South on Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "What we are having put before us is a rehashed plan with most of the benefits removed and a far larger number of houses."

• To see the plans click here

By Jason Lavan