A SUPERMARKET giant has withdrawn plans for a store in the World Heritage village of Saltaire - but says it will re-submit the application in the near future.

The controversial plan sparked stiff opposition in February, with traders, ward councillors and residents voicing their objections to the scheme for a Sainsbury's Local in Bingley Road, on the site of a car wash.

A traders' leader has welcomed the withdrawal.

David Ford, chairman of Saltaire Traders and owner of Saltaire Bookshop, said: "It is good news that they have withdrawn. It is good because I felt the scheme that they originally proposed was completely inappropriate."

He added: "I welcome the opportunity for local people to look at the revised scheme and submit their views accordingly."

Asked if Saltaire could still thrive if the store did eventually get the go-ahead, Mr Ford said: "I would hope so. There is some loyalty to independent shops, but when major players like Sainsbury's come in it damages local businesses. It sucks the lifeblood out of local shops.

"It is down to local people to shop in local shops. If they do not use them they will disappear.

"The evidence is not good in terms of the impact that such schemes have. I have seen lovely towns in the UK damaged by smaller or bigger supermarkets.

"For me, personally, it is not welcome. I think it is really important that we protect the integrity of independent traders."

Councillor Kevin Warnes (Green, Shipley) said he and fellow ward Councillor Hawarun Hussain (Green) objected to the proposals from the start.

"We felt it would have an adverse impact on small local shops nearby," said Cllr Warnes.

"It is on a very well used pedestrian route. Our concern was that there would be large volumes of traffic going in and out of the car park. We were concerned about the safety of people walking by the new store."

He added: "I am very glad the application has been withdrawn. It is very hard to imagine how they can put in a fresh application that will protect local shops and keep pedestrians safe.

"On top of that you have that it would probably be the kind of building that will be at odds with the World Heritage Site nearby.

"We will wait to see what comes back and comment on it appropriately."

Vanessa Pilny, of Saltaire Village Society, said: "It is fantastic. Most people will be pleased that it has been withdrawn. I think there were a lot of people who felt there was no need for a supermarket."

A Sainsbury’s spokesman, said: "We have withdrawn the scheme to ensure that our proposals for a Sainsbury’s Local on Bingley Road are right for the area.

"We will continue to work closely with the Council to amend the scheme and will resubmit shortly."

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: "The agents have withdrawn the application to allow more time to review the proposals, taking into account concerns expressed about the building design and arrangements for access and servicing the proposed store."