Support for a campaign to make Sainsbury’s the first ever supermarket in a village is swelling after more than 700 residents put their names to a petition.

The petition was started by villagers keen to back the supermarket giant’s bid to open a store in Wombourne, near Wolverhampton. Supermarket bosses also sent letters to householders outlining revised plans to win support and allay fears. Supermarket wars were sparked after both Sainsbury’s and Tesco submitted applications to build superstores.

But both firms have had their applications turned down by members of South Staffordshire Council’s planning committee.

While the majority of villagers are adamant they want a supermarket in Wombourne, opinion on whether it should be a Sainsbury’s or Tesco is split.

Sainsbury’s came back with fresh plans after having its first scheme rejected by planners in April. The firm is now waiting for the revised proposals to go back before committee members.

A meeting held by Sainsbury’s last month saw around 150 residents pack into the Civic Centre to hear what the firm had planned for the Heath Mill Road site, just a few yards from the site earmarked by Tesco.

Villagers Anna Owen, 55, of Hatch Heath Close and 57-year-old Georgina Saunders, who lives in Link Road, launched a petition in support of the supermarket at the meeting because they prefer Sainsbury’s to Tesco. 

Sainsbury’s spokeswoman Michelle Simpson said the petition had topped 700 signatures. “It is going great guns,” she added.

Campaigner Anna Owen, 55, of Hatch Heath Close, said the village was backing the Sainsbury’s bid as it was the first on the table. 

“Sainsbury’s came first with their application and then Tesco came along with their plans.”

It is not yet known when Sainsbury’s fresh plans will be back before councillors. Planners threw out an application by Tesco at the end of last month to build a store on the Static Systems site.