A PLEA to 'resist the temptation to give in' to the giant supermarket chain Sainsbury was made by opponents at a planning inquiry this week.

The inquiry held at the town's Bedford Hotel will decide the fate of the plan for a third out of town superstore for Tavistock.

Local resident Doreen Fell said to allow 'this monstrosity' to be built in a town with strict planning regulations and heritage status was hypocritical.

The inquiry into West Devon Borough Council's refusal of planning permission for a store at Brook Farm, Plymouth Road, began on Tuesday and is expected to last seven days.

Around 100 members of the public attended on the first day to hear the arguments for and against the controversial scheme for the 3.8-hectare site near to the Morrisons store.

Planning experts and solicitors on behalf of Tavistock Chamber of Commerce and Somerfield were also present to put their case against the development which they claim will have a detrimental effect on the vitality and viability of the town centre.

Mrs Fell, who was one of 12 members of the public registered to speak at the inquiry against the scheme, received a round of applause when she said she believed Tavistock was 'in serious danger of losing its character as a beautiful and historic market town'.

'I believe it will cause a price war between supermarkets which will make it even more difficult for local traders to charge realistic prices to cover their rates and remain in business — it is our duty to encourage them to stay in business.

'I ask you to please be strong and resist the temptation to give in to this giant chain.'

Roger Lancaster, representing Somerfield, said if the supermarket went ahead, 45% of the town's total turnover would be generated out of the town centre.

The application by Sainsbury's for a mixed-use site including 17 business units, an office block and petrol station was rejected by planners in December on the grounds of the potential impact on the town centre and because the land had been designated since 2005 for employment other than retail.

Officers from the borough council said the town needed a broad range of well paid jobs, not another supermarket.

West Devon Borough Council's economic development officer Tim Beavon said supermarkets provided predominately part-time work and jobs in the retail sector were poorly paid compared with office and factory jobs, which is what the council wanted to see to help the economy of the town.

Although the council's blueprint for development over the next 15 to 20 years — the local development framework — allowed for additional retail development coming forward on that site, subject to need, this would be secondary to other uses, the inquiry was told.

The borough council's planning policy manager, Chris Dunford, said other uses would be desirable if they helped facilitate the majority of the site for employment.

'At the moment we are not convinced there is a need for further retail development,' he said.

Currently the town had a large out of town Morrisons supermarket and Lidl had recently been given planning permission for a store nearby.

There were also two supermarkets in the town centre and a wide range of shops.

William Hicks QC, representing Sainsbury's, said in his opening submission that the business units would provide 140 jobs and the supermarket around 200 jobs.

He said the site had been empty even in more positive economic circumstances and with no prospect of grants or subsidies it was unlikely that it would be developed for B class (employment uses) for the foreseeable future.

He said: 'The construction will create significant economic activity.'

Mr Hicks said a retail report in 2005 supported the provision of a new full range convenient store and it would reduce the amount of Tavistock residents travelling to Plymouth and other local towns to do their shopping.

As the Times went to press the inquiry was due to hear from a retail expert on behalf of the borough council, Dr Stephen Norris.