SITING a large supermarket on residential land could turn residents lives upside down and mean a terminal decline for small traders.

These fears were reiterated by members of the Bramley Crescent/part Perth Road Residents Association, Gants Hill, when they berated councillors during a forum after the council's area seven meeting recently.

The residents are campaigning to try and stop the demolition of their homes to make way for a supermarket on the site of the former Odeon Cinema.

Arthur Pearn, of Bramley Crescent, said: "The council says it won't force us out but the green light has been provisionally given and the plans include these properties.

"If the supermarket is built it not only affects us, it will affect the people living opposite. Their homes won't be destroyed but they will have to live opposite an open space that will look like a bomb site until the supermarket is built, and once it is built they will have to put up with the problems of traffic gridlock as shoppers drive in and out."

Mr Pearns said tempers became frayed following the meeting which took place at Downshall School, Meads Lane, Aldborough Road South.

But speaking at a full council meeting last month, councillor Peter Goody said: "The council will not make any compulsory purchase of anyone's homes and will not be forcing residents to sell if they don't want to."

See page eight for a special feature SITING a large supermarket on residential land could turn residents' lives upside down and mean a terminal decline for small traders.

These fears were reiterated by members of the Bramley Crescent/part Perth Road Residents Association, Gants Hill, when they berated councillors during a forum after the council's area seven meeting on Monday.

The residents are campaigning to try and stop the demolition of their homes to make way for a supermarket on the site of the former Odeon Cinema.

Arthur Pearn, of Bramley Crescent, said: "The council says it won't force us out but the green light has been provisionally given and the plans include these properties.

"If the supermarket is built it not only affects us, it will affect the people living opposite. Their homes won't be destroyed but they will have to live opposite an open space that will look like a bomb site until the supermarket is built, and once it is built they will have to put up with the problems of traffic gridlock as shoppers drive in and out."

Mr Pearn said tempers became frayed following the meeting which took place at Downshall School, Meads Lane, Aldborough Road South.

But speaking at a full council meeting last month, councillor Peter Goody said: "The council will not make any compulsory purchase of anyone's homes and will not be forcing residents to sell if they don't want to."