DAWLISH Chamber of Trade has voted in favour of a new large supermarket in the town. However, it says more parking would be needed and a suggested location at Sandy Lane, in the Local Development Framework, is wrong. 'As far as we're concerned as traders,' said Bob Bowen, chairman of Dawlish Chamber of Trade and business owner in the town. 'the building of a large new supermarket could have an adverse effect on the town centre. 'Obviously that is a worry, but one could argue that it might have the opposite effect and be beneficial. 'My own feeling is that without extra parking, the town centre is going to be in trouble, it will die, and that is regardless of what goes on with the supermarket. 'As far as the location is concerned, the green space at Sandy Lane is a unique facility and not the right place. 'There are going to be winners and losers here, and it could just be that I'm one of the losers. 'There is no way of telling what will happen until the supermarket is built,' he said. The mayor of Dawlish, Cllr Tom Bush, had mixed feelings on the subject. 'Sandy Lane is really a recreational area, not a commercial one,' he said. 'The land was originally given for the recreation of the people of Dawlish. We do need a supermarket, but not in that place. 'If we did have one it would stop people travelling out of town to do their shopping. We need to shop locally. I would've thought that a supermarket would be better situated at somewhere like the Shutterton Business Park, where a park and ride scheme could also be included.' A spokesman for Teignbridge Council said: 'We are aware of the need for a supermarket store in Dawlish as evidenced by a specific retail study in the area. 'However, the issue of a site is challenging, and we have been exploring options for some time, initially through the old First Review, and now through the Local Development Framework process. 'We haven't identified a preferred option yet, but more will be clear towards the end of the year when the preferred options are published together with a consultation opportunity for the public to get involved and tell us what they think.'
