The RFU, Richmond Council, Twickenham's town centre manager and the new chairman of the management committee for Think Twickenham are united in opposition to plans for a huge cash-and-carry superstore opposite the rugby stadium.

Costco UK wants to demolish the existing Twickenham Trading Estate in Rugby Road and replace it with an 11,942 square metre warehouse selling everything from food to household goods and car tyres.

There would also be 800 car parking spaces just a few hundred yards from the busy A316.

Hounslow councillors will vote on Costco's planning application in October.

The RFU, whose stadium would be directly opposite the massive warehouse, has formally objected "on the grounds of community safety and potential increase of traffic and congestion".

A Richmond Council planning officer said: "We are very concerned by this application, particularly because of the increase in traffic.

"This would be a major problem especially on rugby match days."

Len Smith, who owns a school and sport outfitters on Heath Road, Twickenham, was appalled by news of the warehouse development when the Guardian broke the news to him.

The new chairman of the management committee for the Think Twickenham initiative said: "I'm against this because it will take trade away from Twickenham.

"We are trying to bring more businesses into the town centre to fill empty shop units."

Janet Knox, Twickenham's town centre manager, agreed: "It's another out-of-town facility when we are trying to encourage people back into town centres."

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