A GARAGE owner has sought to play down fears among Briton Ferry traders that Tesco could be taking over his premises.

Petitions have been circulating opposing the supermarket giant opening an Express store at Neath Car Sales, in Neath Road.

Jonathan Jenvey, the owner of Neath Car Sales, confirmed that an application had been submitted to Neath Port Talbot Council, but said the reason was to increase the value of the site by obtaining outline permission for retail use.

Obtaining this permission, he said, enabled a business to borrow more money and increase its overdrafts. But that didn't mean Tesco, or anyone else, would take it over, he said.

In 2008, Mr Jenvey was granted outline planning permission for residential development at the same site.

He said: "I would not like to move my business from here. We have just taken on a new franchise. We have no intention of moving."

However, he said he has had inquiries from retailers, including "one or two" from supermarkets, about the site. And he didn't rule out sharing the site with another business.

The Neath Car Sales planning application describes the proposal as "the demolition of existing car showroom and construction of new retail unit (divided into two separate units) for Class A1 use".

A design and access statement has also been submitted to "support a detailed planning application for the demolition of the existing car sales showroom at the existing Neath Car Sales site and construction of two retail units, contained within a single building".

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The proposal will, it said, create up to 30 full and part-time jobs, and would "provide retail provision in the heart of the community" and improve local choice and competition for the benefit of the customers.

On one of the maps included in the planning documents are the words "proposed Tesco Express and retail units".

Tesco, meanwhile, has confirmed it was aware of the application.

Anita Phillips, owner of Mike's News, in Villiers Street, said a petition in her shop objecting to the plans had 400 signatures within 24 hours. "I am frightened for our future and I am frightened for my staff," she said. "All the traders feel the same."

She added: "We have got people in their 80s and 90s who come in looking for me because I will go the extra mile for them."

Shopkeepers in Briton Ferry are due to meet to discuss the issue tomorrow night.

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "We are aware of this application and are monitoring it, but the application has been put forward by the Renault car garage."