STORE wars have broken out in an Oxfordshire market town after a second major supermarket announced plans to move in.

Waitrose said its 15,000sq ft supermarket in Gloucester Street, Faringdon, would create up to 120 new jobs and boost existing shops in the town centre.

Tesco’s plan for a 15,000 sq ft store on the edge of town in Park Road is due to be considered by Vale of White Horse councillors next Wednesday.

Planning officers have recommended rejection. They said it would draw customers away from the town centre, alternative sites had not been considered enough and the land was needed for industrial businesses.

Some 16 residents objected. The council’s report said they warned it would hit the ‘vitality, viability and character of the town centre’. Eight supported the plan.

Meanwhile, plans by Budgens owner Simon Tiensa to expand his store – the town’s only supermarket – have been approved.

Tesco says its research shows over 80 per cent of residents travel elsewhere for their main food shop.

Waitrose will hold a public exhibition on plans in November and hopes to submit a planning application by the end of the year. If successful, it would open in 2012.

Trevor Wynn, who runs the Nut Tree gift shop in Faringdon, said town centre traders would welcome the Waitrose plans.

“I’m delighted because it will bring more people into town. It’s much better because it’s walking distance to the town centre.”

Alan Hickmore, chairman of Faringdon Town Council’s planning committee, said: “My personal view is that I couldn’t care less which of the two retailers comes – we just need one or the other.

“We can’t carry on with just one supermarket.”

Nigel Keen, Waitrose director of development, said the firm had been looking for a Faringdon site “for a very long time”.

He said: “The Gloucester Street site has been identified as a preferred location for retail development, but more importantly will provide us with the opportunity to make a major investment in the area without compromising the town’s residents and traders.”