THE WAR between Tavistock town traders and out of town supermarkets hotted up this week as Sainsbury's announced it was appealing against refusal of planning permission to build a store in Plymouth Road.

But the challenge is on for credit-crunch hit shopkeepers in the town who will be asked to put their hands in their pockets to raise up to £20,000 needed to fight the appeal and recover costs already incurred opposing the plan.

The proposal for a large store, petrol station and 18 business units and offices for the 3.8 hectare site was turned down in October on the grounds that the supermarket would have a detrimental effect on the town centre but also that it would result in a loss of employment land and was against policy.

Opposition group the Brook Campaign, which includes many town businesses, hailed the decision as a victory but their euphoria has been short-lived with the news that Sainsbury's has appealed.

Sainsbury's regional development executive Jamie Baker said: 'We still believe a development of this type would be beneficial to Tavistock.

'In economic development terms, not only will it deliver 200 jobs in the foodstore itself but it will also bring forward 18 business start-up units and offices.

'These are real jobs and real commercial opportunities which could be provided soon, not far in the future.'

The percentage of people leaving Tavistock to visit supermarkets in other towns in the area — 40% by the most recent figures, he said — was only likely to increase if more choice was not provided.

'This is not a sustainable position for a town such as Tavistock, in either economic or environmental terms, and particularly given the recent news of a proposal for a new supermarket at Callington.'

Founder of the Brook Campaign and Tavistock Chamber of Commerce chairman Nigel Eadie said he was not surprised but disappointed that Sainsbury's had decided to appeal.

'Clearly, the planning committee wholeheartedly rejected this application and one would consider that it is not really appropriate for them to establish a business here.

'If this development went ahead it would be disastrous for the town — shops would close and in time Tavistock would end up a ghost-town. We have seen it happen up and down the country.

'We hope an independent planning inspector will draw the same conclusion as the planning committee.'

Mr Eadie said he believed people would continue to donate money to the Brook Campaign as Tavistock town centre was something worth fighting for.

But Georgina Elias, of Georgina's Pet Supplies, said traders alone would have difficulty finding the money needed to keep Sainsbury's at bay.

'We need everybody's help, not just the shopkeepers, because they are hardpushed as it is.

'If people want to keep Tavistock as it is — a town that is different, not just full of chain stores like everywhere else — they need to fight to save it and not be complacent.'

Owner of Tavistock's oldest business, Crebers Delicatessen, Robert Creber said £15,000 to £20,000 was 'petty cash' to Sainsbury's but lots of money to small traders.

'We have a great little town and I am willing to do my bit to preserve it but obviously there has to be a line — I am just not sure what that is at the moment.

'I have a 128-year history to protect and 13 staff members who rely on me. I am not prepared to let that go without a fight.'

l Planning consultant Stephen Gill will speak on behalf of the Brook Campaign against the application for a Lidl supermarket in Plymouth Road at West Devon Borough Council's planning meeting next Tuesday.

This is a re-submission of a proposal which was rejected in October by the committee but includes an up-dated retail assessment and a covenant to restrict consent to a discount store only. The plans have been recommended for approval by planning officers.