Traders are furious that Hillingdon Council will compulsorily purchase a building so a supermarket can almost double its size and take over a public car park.

Shopkeepers in South Ruislip are worried they will lose business if the council car park in Long Drive belongs to Sainsbury's.

Plans to extend the store were approved by the council in 2006, but Bonnell's Electrical Contractors, which occupies a building between the store and the car park, refused to sell the site to Sainsbury's.

The council's cabinet has now acted in order for the redevelopment to take place.

Steve Panayi, owner of Wisps hairdressers in Station Approach, said: "I know every one of the shopkeepers and they are all opposed to the selling of the car park, because it's in the best possible position for the public to use the shops.

"They are finding it extremely difficult, especially in the present financial climate, and this could be the last straw."

South Ruislip Residents' Association is not willing to lose the car park either, and is pushing for a public enquiry.

Association chairwoman Jean Ingram said: "We use the car park in the evenings when we travel up to London, and it is a safe area to go into.

"We also use it when we go into the shops, and they will lose business if we have to use the supermarket car park as people will shop in there instead."

Alan Bonnell, Bonnell's director, said: "We have been here about eight years and we don't want to be compulsorily purchased. We are quite happy trading here and I am sure our customers are, and it's not very easy to relocate."

The redevelopment plans include a new library, a coffee shop and learning centre, and although the car park would be removed, a decked replacement would be built.

South Ruislip councillor Judy Kelly, who supports the move, said: "We have also been promised a new community centre and a youth centre, which we desperately need.

"There will be more parking spaces with very easy access from Station Approach, so on the whole it benefits South Ruislip."