Public divided over Asda plan

It was the second time he had brought the plans to the people. In the summer he set up the stall to try and gauge public opinion, before the redevelopment was put on hold while Asda planners reconsidered the original plans.

Now the scheme is back on track and the general feeling is it will be accepted by the council and the face of Wealdstone will be completely transformed. But not everyone is happy.

Councillor Campbell had an interesting couple of days, witnessing lively debate on the street between shoppers with opposing opinions: even husbands and wives were divided over what was best for Wealdstone. But there is still plenty of apathy, with many people walking by, unwilling to put forward their views on a plan which will transform their environment.

Simon Ashman, 24, a day centre worker who lives in nearby Aberdeen Road, was very angry about the prospect of Asda's plans.

"I think it's a waste of money. It will ruin Wealdstone," he said. "The council has spent thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money pedestrianising the centre and now it will be ripped up. It will become a no-go area, create absolute mayhem and force other traders out.

"I am completely opposed to it."

Housekeeper Lesley Floyd, 54, of Kenton Lane, Harrow Weald, was cautiously in favour of the scheme.

"It's alright, as long as they consider other traders," she said. "It would be a disaster if everything shut down as a result of this."

Stanmore College student Abdul Waheliye of Grant Road, thought it a good idea.

"This area needs a supermarket so the people can have a better selection of goods," he said. "It will particularly benefit those who don't have transport, especially the old and young families."

Young mum Laura-Jane Faulkner, 19, of The Broadway, was all for the planned development.

"It's difficult for me to get all the shopping I need here and the several trips needed to places like Tesco are very tiring with a buggy as I don't have a car," she said.

"If there was a good shop nearby I would not have so far to travel. I think it's great. Boots is the furthest I travel to shop along High Street anyway, so as long as that does not go I'm happy, and apparently that is staying."

Various exhibitions of Asda's plans, which include the demolition of almost all of the southern end of the town from (but not including) Boots and Holy Trinity Church as far as Masons Avenue, to build a superstore, smaller shops flats and car parking, have been on display at Wealdstone library and the Civic Centre.

Residents and traders have been given an opportunity to send their views on the £25 million scheme to the council to be included in the official consultation process and meetings have been held with Wealdstone Traders' Association and local councillors.

Asda also carried out an independent survey of Marlborough ward residents. Almost 7,000 ballot papers were sent out to homes and 2,737 people responded. Just over 87 per cent were in favour and almost 13 per cent were against.

Barry Stainthorpe, Asda's development manager was thrilled with the result.

"We are very pleased that so many local people have recognised the very positive benefits for Wealdstone," he said.

But Brenda Harvey, chairwoman of Wealdstone Traders' Association, was not convinced by the response.

"It is very black and white," she said. "Most people are probably in favour to some extent but have worries and conditions they would like to see imposed."

Results of a more detailed survey of traders' views should be available soon.

If the scheme is backed by the council on Monday, it will be referred to the Department of the Environment and Transport for final approval.

Councillor Campbell, a member of the planning committee, said: "It looks as if the plans will be approved. However I will be pushing for various conditions, such as an additional car park in Headstone Lane to benefit the shops along there and Holy Trinity Church."

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