PLANS to transform a former office building are being fiercely opposed in South Cerney.

The scheme by 14L Capital Limited would convert the Mitie building on High Street into a shop and two homes with garages at the rear.

At a well attended South Cerney Parish Council meeting this month, neighbours said the plans would cause serious traffic congestion and threaten trade at the nearby Londis shop on Broadway Lane.

The council decided to formally oppose the application because of the traffic fears, that the proposed shop front was unattractive and that the business would drive trade away from Londis.

The application includes five car parking spaces for the shop and four spaces for the homes.

It also proposes to create a new glazed entrance screen, replacing the existing high level windows and alterations to several existing openings.

Approximately two deliveries would be made to the shop each day with lorries parking outside the front of the shop in High Street.

Michael and Christina Pollard, who live on the side road next to the building, said they would do all they could to stop the application.

“There will be more traffic that will park on our little access road,” Christina said. “With the delivery lorries we won’t be able to see what we are doing when we try to get out.

“There is also a school crossing directly opposite. There could be an accident.

“We have lived there for 30-odd years and it has never been used as a shop before – it has been offices.

“A lot of people walked to work because it has been a nine to five job. This shop will be open from 7am–11pm, seven days a week. It will completely spoil the area.”

Marianne Hillier who also lives on the side road said she was upset the scheme would remove a turning circle from the road.

“They haven’t provided a turning area in the current plans,” she said. “It is going to be difficult for turning vehicles.”

Cllr Juliet Layton, Cotswold District Council’s South Cerney representative and member of the authority’s planning committee, said: “They shouldn’t be getting planning permission if is going to be detrimental to other things here.”

She said one of the major concerns was that the proposed shop would “decimate” trade at the village’s Londis store.

“You could not have it competing to what is going on around the corner,” she added.

A report submitted with the application said: “The relatively low level of car parking provision will contribute toward encouraging non-car modes of travel such as walking and cycling which will also be encouraged by the provision of secure cycle parking.”

It said encouraging more customers to walk and cycle was also in line with CDC’s Local Plan.

Visit wiltsglosstandard.co.uk for links to the plans.