The local Chamber of Commerce fears that Wyevale’s intention is to create an out-of-town shopping centre on Ivybridge’s doorstep.

Although the plans were refused by South Hams Council planning committee members in July, Wyevale has now appealed against the decision.

Ivybridge Chamber of Commerce chair Margaret Punchard said: “Our feeling is, if you let them put in what they’re planning, they can just go ahead and do whatever they want.

“They just don’t seem to understand that Ivybridge is struggling, even without all these new concessions they want to put in. They’re not small concessions either. It’s too close to Ivybridge for an out-of-town shopping centre.”

The council has previously opposed changes allowing Endsleigh to expand what it is allowed to sell.

Town centre shopkeeper Pat White, proprietor of the Footnote shoe shop in Glanville’s Mill, is doing her best to raise awareness of the appeal quickly with posters of how to respond in shops.

New Ivybridge town councillor Gareth Derrick is also behind the campaign to keep Endsleigh as it is. He has launched a petition that he intends to submit to the planning inspector.

“The continued expansion and diversification of Endsleigh Garden Centre acts to destroy the viability and vitality of Ivybridge’s town centre,’ he said.

“In the original planning approvals in July 2000, there were significant conditions – to retain the character of the site as a garden centre and to protect the vitality and viability of Ivybridge town centre.

“These conditions have already been flouted, with the centre regularly trading in goods outside the intent of the approvals.

“If the appeal by Endsleigh Garden Centre is upheld, this will be in complete disregard of the clearly expressed wishes of the residents and traders of Ivybridge and those in the surrounding areas.

“It would also mean that the South Hams Council planning authority failed in its duty to “recognise town centres as the heart of their communities and pursue policies to support their vitality and viability”, as required by the National Planning Policy Framework.”

The petition can be found at www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-ivybridge-town.

By lunchtime on Wednesday, just 24 hours after the petition’s launch, it had attracted 224 signatures and 78 comments.

A spokesperson for Wyevale Garden Centres told GTN Xtra: "Endsleigh Wyevale Garden Centre is not just a place to shop for the garden, but a welcoming space to enjoy a meal, a cup of coffee, or to bring the family. As part of our ongoing investment in our garden centres, we are in the process of applying for approval to improve the quality of the shopping experience and the choice available to customers."