The Aylesbury Society, which opposes the current plans drawn up by the district council and current Hale Leys owners Warner Estate, want to see a smaller scheme built and the proposed foodstore on Exchange Street abandoned altogether.

Roger King, honorary secretary of the society, said: "We feel that the current plan is too large and is being built at the wrong time, given the current economic climate. Whilst not disagreeing that more shops may be needed in an expanding town, we think that 35 is far too many, and that new outlets can be accommodated by utilising existing empty units within the town."

Mr King said his research had shown that there was about 25,000-30,000sq ft of empty space in prime areas in the town which could house the new shops. There were vacant units in Hale Leys and Friars Square, whilst in the High Street there were large empty units previously occupied by the Woolwich Building Society and Savers.

According to Mr King, when these are put together with the former post office, they provide more than enough space to expand Aylesbury's shopping experience. He added that older parts of Aylesbury, such as Cambridge Street and Temple Street, would be a good location for any specialised shops that want to come to the town.

The footprint in The Aylesbury Society design is limited to the outline of the existing Civic Centre, swimming pool and car park to accommodate a new department store, car parking and smaller units, alongside one or two pubs and restaurants. The old post office site in the High Street could also be included in the scheme which Mr King said would give a good frontage onto the revitalised High Street. He added that in the future St Joseph's Church and 66 High Street could be demolished and incorporated if necessary.

"Our design would allow the green area fronting Exchange Street to be saved as a leisure area," he added.

And he said that another supermarket in the town, as proposed in the current plans, was simply not needed. "We question the need for another food store in town, particularly with the opening of Lidl next week and Aldi in the new year, both of which are within walking distance of the proposed new Waterside store," he said.

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