PLANS to build a new Tesco Express store in a pub car park in Salisbury have been strongly opposed by the city council.

Salisbury City Council is just one of many stakeholders objecting to the plans for The Greyfisher pub at Ayleswade Road on the Wiltshire Council website.

Plans, submitted in July by Walsingham Planning on behalf of Greene King which owns the pub, detail the ambition to demolish 12 garages to make way for the retail unit and a new 51-space parking area.

The applicant says there is a very limited retail provision for local residents, consisting of a small corner shop, the M&S Simply Food at the BP garage and a small Nisa store.

“This means it is highly likely that residents, particularly those in the east of Harnham, current travel outside of the area and by car to access shops and local ‘top up’ retail provision,” the plans said.

But not everyone is on board with the plans. Salisbury City Council submitted an official objection earlier this month, raising concerns that the retail assessment did not take into account the Nisa and Ayeleswade store.

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It also said the retail unit would impact traffic on an already busy road, as well as raising concerns over the “excessive” opening hours which it said could encourage antisocial behaviour.

Councillor Annie Riddle (Independent, West Harnham) said: “I am concerned about the future viability of the One Stop shop, already owned by Tesco, on Netherhampton Road if this new store goes ahead. I believe this is already under threat from other retail proposals in the Netherhampton Road area.

“The One Stop houses a post office, which is a vital, highly valued and well-used community amenity, and anything that threatens the survival of the post office service to Harnham residents, which prevents them having to travel into town or drive round the ring road to access the facility at Waitrose, should be resisted.

“To this end I would propose a retail impact assessment for the One Stop, as well as one for the local Nisa.”

Southern Planning Practice submitted an objection on behalf of Culverhill Retail which owns the Nisa Local store on The Crescent.

It said its client strongly objects to the plans, citing the potential “significant detrimental economic impact” of the proposal on their business.

They said: “By disregarding a competing store already serving the area, the applicant has sought to manufacture a perceived ‘gap’ in local convenience provision where none exists.

“In reality, this proposal appears to be not driven by community need but by commercial ambition. If approved, it would result in significant harm to existing local businesses, increased pressure on the local highway network, and a deterioration in the quality of life for Harnham residents.”

One resident Malcolm Potter described the plans as “absurd”.

“I don’t think I have seen such an absurd idea as this,” he said. “The traffic at the moment with all the new houses being built plus the new application for Britford which will probably be granted as well is horrendous then decide to add extra traffic as well!

“Also the access on to the dual carriageway will cause even more hold up’s. Hopefully the planning authority will manage to find some sense and refuse this most stupid idea.”

Some have supported the plans however.

One Salisbury & Avon reader said: “[This is] actually not a bad idea. If local residents can shop locally then it could mean an easing on traffic.

“As it stands it’s a long walk down to the one stop or crossing extremely busy roads to get to the petrol station or Nisa on Rowbarrow.

“We’d all prefer a different store to Tesco, they’ve got a bit of a stranglehold in Salisbury with all the stores and one stops they have but at least they can afford the build.”

To view and comment on the plans, visit the planning section of Wiltshire Council’s website and search reference PL/2025/05931.

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