AN ONLINE petition has been launched opposing a “potential proposal” for a new “in town” supermarket in Stroud but the district council has asked for it to be taken down on the grounds that it is “factually incorrect”.

The petition, on the www.change.org website, concerns potential redevelopment by Hertfordshire property rental company Setminds Ltd, of the triangle of land between Union Street and the Cornhill, from the Market Tavern to the Sports Direct shop.

At the time of going to press, the petition appeared to have been taken down but it could still be accessed via Facebook links. It currently has more than 340 signatures.

Alex Jamieson, who owns No 23 Cafe, Bar and Bistro in Nelson Street, started the online campaign that raised concerns about the size of the potential development and lack of public consultation.

It claimed the potential proposal “could signify the end of our award-winning farmers’ market, and the whole Cornhill area, to be replaced with a massive supermarket”.

The potential proposal first appeared on the agenda of a development control committee meeting on September 23, when three applications relating to retail stores at Brunsdons Yard, Daniels Industrial Estate, and Avocet Industrial Estate were discussed.

The “Market Tavern” information was included as a factor to be considered in the determination of the applications.

At the time Stroud District Council noted that it was not a formal proposal nor part of any confirmed pre-application discussion.

A spokesman for SDC said: “Having reached an agreement with the current operator, which allows it to continue to run the farmers’ market, we are extremely disappointed to find that someone is stirring up uncertainty by falsely claiming that a planning application for this site has been made and the council is not consulting on it.

“Unfortunately the organiser has not taken the time to read the paperwork she refers to. They may not like the idea of a town centre supermarket but spreading fear is unhelpful.

“We have contacted the website to ask them to take down this factually incorrect petition and await their response. If and when we receive a planning application, we will undertake a full consultation as normal.”