A HUGE new supermarket could be built on a former dye works in Hounslow.

Developers have announced plans for a five-storey building, including a Sainsbury's and about 60 flats, on empty land beside Hounslow's Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha.

At more than 3,900sqm, the supermarket, on the site of the old William Dye Works, in Hanworth Road, would be nearly as big as the 24-hour ASDA in Hounslow town centre.

The derelict site was recently occupied by a group of eco squatters but is now used by the neighbouring Sikh temple as an overflow car park for major events.

The proposals are at a very early stage, with a planning application yet to be submitted, but developer Bride Hall claims the new store would create roughly 300 full and part-time jobs.

A spokesman for Bride Hall and Sainsbury's said it was still consulting local residents about the site but hoped to submit a planning application soon.

"The site has been derelict and vacant for 12 years. Bride Hall's proposal is for a major investment in the site, bringing it back into use, creating new jobs and homes," he added.

"From the consultation we have held we believe there is support for our proposals for this mixed use scheme in the local area."

However, the gurdwara's general secretary Mohinder Singh Nayyar said: "We are very concerned about the impact on traffic and parking.

"We are open to everyone and don't charge for parking, but we're worried our car park will be inundated by supermarket customers when its own car park is full.

"The gurdwara also welcomes anyone as long as they haven't been consuming alcohol or tobacco, but both of these items would be on sale next door.

"There's a need for additional housing in Hounslow but there's also a real shortage of school places and we feel the site would be better used for a new school."

For more about plans for the old dye works site, and to have your say, visit www.hanworthroadproposals.co.uk.