The derelict Calne Co-Op building might be demolished to make way for housing.

It could be replaced by 26 homes in Mill Street according to the planning statement submitted by Hawkfield Homes (East Bristol) Ltd.

Many residents are fiercely opposed to the plans but Calne Town Council has made no objection to the proposal.

Resident Bryon Newman described the plans in the application comments as “replacing one monstrosity with another".

Resident Alison Bowyer said: “Our awful Town Council should be objecting to this!! We need this to be sent back for a rethink so ALL of Calne can enjoy river front shopping or leisure time. I OBJECT.”

Resident Kathryn Brindle commented: “I strongly object to the proposed plans, Calne already has a problem with traffic congestion!! This will create even more, especially being in the town centre.

"This site should be used for shops, cafes, bars and for the Calne Food Bank!!! Build new homes on the edge of town and keep the centre for the use, of the community.”

Resident Paul Davies added: “Stop building houses in the centre of Calne. You are killing our town with your poor quality, unimaginative development projects pushed by monied companies who have no consideration for extant habitants left to live with their carbuncles.”

The proposal says that three of the apartments will have one or two bedrooms while the other houses will have between two and four.

There will also be 50 sqm of commercial space fronting onto Mill Street and car parking spaces for all the houses.

The plans propose the creation of a new pocket park on the site along with new public spaces and pedestrian routes crossing the site and linking up to existing ones.  

Two applications to place houses on the site were submitted last year but both were withdrawn in October and faced the same strong opposition.

The site is within Calne Conservation Area and is close to a number of listed buildings but since 2000 planners have seen it as a possible site for residential development.

The former supermarket was closed in April 2020 and in July this year a gang of youths set the roof on fire.

Children, reportedly as young as 11-years-old, were involved in breaking into the site, police said.

The proposal is in the consultation stage and will go forward to the planning committee for a decision when planners have heard the views of local people.

To comment on the application click here.