SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury’s has plans to build a new store in a Hampshire village – but local traders fear that it could kill off their high street shops.

The Daily Echo has learned that Sainsbury’s wants to build a store in Bishop’s Waltham. Although an official planning application has not yet been made, the parish council has confirmed that the supermarket has bought land on the Abbey Mill site.

Supermarket bosses said that they are looking at building a store on the site but have refused to confirm how large the supermarket would be.

‘Disastrous’ The news is a blow to small businesses. Andrew Grover, a local butcher for more than 20 years, said: “It could kill the high street.”

Peter Atkinson, who has run Atkinson’s Fresh Fish shop for 20 years, said: “If a store gets built here it will finish the village shops off.”

Winchester city councillor George Hollingbery said: “Any of the big supermarkets opening would be disastrous for a small town like Bishop’s Waltham, which thrives on its individual and independent shops and services.”

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said: “No plans have been progressed yet. Should proposals come forward, Sainsbury’s would consult with the local community at the outset.”

The plot of land was due to be turned into 70 new homes by developers almost two years ago but it is understood that the land was sold to Sainsbury’s just before Christmas.