Families living close to a Sainsbury’s superstore have launched a last ditch attempt to stop it being granted permission for a massive extension.

People living on the Cepen Park South estate in Chippenham have started a No To Sainsbury campaign and want as many people as possible to object to Wiltshire Council before the deadline on February 3.

Sainsbury’s wants to add a second storey to its store and create space for up to 700 cars in a multi-storey car park.

Peter Turner, of Warwick Close in Cepen Park South, said: “The development that is being proposed is absolutely massive.

“Cepen Park South has been growing outwards, so whereas before we always got along well with Sainsbury’s, it’s now becoming a threat to our home lives.

“There is now just a thin buffer between us and them, and we are getting concerned about the size of the store that has been planned.

“I also believe the expansion of the store will directly affect the local businesses in the town centre. We are saying no to Sainsbury’s and if you are regular user of the A4, Bath Road, you should be saying no too.”

The battle to stop Sainsbury’s expanding comes at the same time as people are worried about plans for a Co-operative store on the site of the old sorting office in Station Hill, Chippenham.

Lisa Burnett, who lives nearby on Monkton Hill, said “Why do we need to build new premises for the Co-op when there are already so many shops standing empty?”

Sat Gill, who owns the MS2 store on Eastern Avenue, said he is worried about the business failing if the Co-operative development goes ahead.

“We’re talking about a 4,000 sq ft development on the hill,” he said.

“I am concerned about the volume of traffic on the roads.

“We serve around 300 customers a day, but the Co-op will be able to serve more than 1,000.

“If I lose 10 per cent of my business, there is a real chance we wouldn’t be able to keep the store open.”

A spokesman for The Midcounties Co-operative said: “Our proposal for this redundant site is still at an early stage.

“If planning consent is granted, it will bring a significant investment and around 20 jobs to Chippenham. We have carried out a full assessment which shows there is a retail need for the development. ”

Sainsbury’s also says its expansion will bring new jobs to the town and up to 80 posts could be created.

Its regional development executive, David McElhannan, said: “We are proposing to expand the store to provide a more comfortable shopping environment and a greater range of products.

“We are committed to being a good neighbour to the people who live near the store and have spent a significant amount of time listening to their concerns and working with them to refine the details of our plans.”

The owner of Borough Parade in Chippenham Town Centre has also applied for planning permission to revamp the centre before Waitrose opens its doors later this year.

Around £250,000 will be spent on a facelift which will include new signs. A spokesman for Waitrose, whose arrival will bring more than 40 jobs to the town, said: “The announcement that Borough Parade is to receive a makeover is great news.

“The Parade is a vibrant retail destination in Chippenham that we are looking forward to be a part of when we welcome our first shoppers later this year.”

A Borough Parade spokesman said: “The new logo reflects the heritage of the town, while offering a contemporary twist to reflect Borough Parade’s modern line-up of shops,” she said.

“The entrance archway from the High Street will have a glazed projecting canopy featuring the Borough Parade logo, which will be lit up at night.

All three plans are likely to be discussed by Wiltshire Council in March.