DEVELOPERS of the former MoD Copenacre site introduced themselves to the people of Corsham for the first time last week, but they could soon be set for a clash with residents over the site’s future.

The land, in Bath Road, has been surplus to requirements since the £800 million defence centre, MoD Corsham, opened at Basil Hill in April.

Richard Brown, the planning consultant representing new owner Copenacre Developments LLP, attended the Corsham Area Board Meeting last Thursday to present potential proposals for the site.

He outlined three possible options; that the area be turned into a residential development with a proportion of affordable housing; that it would be 60 per cent housing and 40 per cent leisure facilities; or it would be a retail development with a supermarket.

Mr Brown said: “The third option is a bit of a contentious one, but I’d like to emphasise at this stage we’d merely like to test the options available.

“This is very much an evolving process and a decision would be made after public and group consultation.”

The chairman of Corsham Area Board, Wiltshire councillor Alan McRae, praised Mr Brown for approaching the board at an early stage.

He said: “It is very refreshing for the developers to come and speak to us at such an early stage of the process.”

The prospect of a new supermarket on the land has not been welcomed by many in the town.

Wiltshire Cllr Peter Davis said: “I’m for having mixed housing and employment opportunities, which isn’t industrial, on the site.

“I’d also like to see some form of additional facilities for the elderly on the site, such as a nursing home.

“I’m not happy in any way, shape or form with a supermarket being there, as it would be detrimental to our high street in Corsham.

“If a planning application came in for a supermarket I would jump on it straight away. There’ll be a supermarket on that site over my dead body.”

Corsham Chamber of Commerce has also expressed its opposition.

Its representative, Ian Storey, said: “The Chamber of Commerce would be vehemently against a supermarket being built at the Copenacre site.

“It would rip the guts out of the town. We are already concerned enough about the Sainsbury’s in Chippenham, let alone having a new supermarket so close.

“I hope when plans are being drawn up that developers consider the vibrancy of this town.”

More detailed proposals for the area are expected to be released in three to four weeks, at which stage a public consultation will be launched.