SIR — For over 30 years now, I have been running my greengrocers business in Williton and take great pride that I have been able to continue trading when many other greengrocers in towns and villages across the UK have failed.

However, if the planning application for the proposed new retail centre is successful, I am sure that I shall become another statistic in the demise of family-run independent greengrocers.

I can appreciate the attraction of having a supermarket on our doorstep and can understand why many people in Williton and surrounding villages might support it at first.

However, if they would take time to consider the impact that such a development would have on the village of Williton, they might not feel the same way.

I am sure that most people are aware of Hugh Davis's fears for the survival of the newsagents. Not only would the village lose the greengrocers and newsagents, the two existing grocers - Spar and Co-op could also disappear, probably the butcher's shop and I know that the Post Office also has such fears. Lloyds Bank would be relocated to the new development to make room for a walk way through to the new development.

As each of these businesses fail or close, they may be replaced, but with what? Perhaps another antique or second hand shop, maybe a charity shop or two, or more estate agents and hairdressers.

One thing that I am sure of is that none of the businesses will be trading in opposition to the supermarket, who by then will have a monopoly.

The development will not bring a supermarket that will trade alongside the existing shops with their variety and choice.

Williton as we know it today will disappear and we shall be left with a completely different village centre.

In the short term, the centre could be full of boarded up shops, some of which may become occupied as I have described above.

However, what if these shops do not become occupied. The answer could possibly be that they would become residential units and Williton will be left with a supermarket plus a few smaller shops and a couple of banks and fuel station.

Oh, and of course, a hardware and garden supplies shop.

There may be a very small chance that the applicant's vision of the future is correct and everything in the garden will be rosy, with full occupancy of the existing shops, whether with some of the existing businesses surviving alongside some new businesses or not, but I just cannot see it myself.

This would be such a huge gamble for the future of Williton, but if it does not succeed the centre of the village will be gone forever and there would be no turning back.

Does the village really want to take this gamble?

Another cause for concern is the roundabout that would be constructed near Bridge Street in close proximity to the existing roundabout. The tailbacks caused will be horrendous and on Butlin's change over days will surely bring gridlock to the village. It would be a nightmare.

I am Williton born and bred and proud of it and have lived and worked here all my life.

People may think that the development will never be allowed to happen, but without making their opposition known, it surely will.

The application has been very carefully and cleverly put together, with all the right boxes ticked. The planners will find it difficult to turn it down, especially if there appears to be little opposition.

If the residents of Williton share my fears, I would ask them to make these known to the planning department and/or their elected councillors as soon and as strongly as possible.

Edward A C Martin,

Wyndham Close,

Williton.