Plans by Connacht Gold Co-Op for a €15 million retail and residential development on the site of the former Swinford Mart in Co Mayo are being opposed by three local groups representing business and farming interests.
The Chamber of Commerce, Swinford traders and a lobby group of local farmers have lodged objections to the proposal with the planning section of Mayo County Council.
The Chamber of Commerce fears that the development on the Kiltimagh Road would draw business away from a town centre already in decline because of vacant commercial premises in the area.
Forty-two Swinford traders have expressed similar fears to the Chamber of Commerce.
They also warn that a major supermarket and shopping complex would be out of character in a mainly residential area.
Farmers are also objecting to the proposal and want a stay of execution put on the closure of the mart.
Rather than Connacht Gold closing the local mart and keeping Balla Mart open, the farmers believe it would make much better sense to retain the mart in Swinford.
There is a good effluent treatment system, better general infrastructure and more room for parking and expansion.
"Swinford should be the location of the planned 'super mart' in Mayo," a spokesman for the farmers' group said.
"Other marts in the area would not be as strategically positioned."
Earlier this summer Connacht Gold controversially decided to close Swinford Mart, which has been serving the farmers of the region for the past 30 years. The co-op plans to construct instead a major retail and residential unit on the vacant site.
Mr Cathal Kelly, chairman of Swinford Chamber of Commerce, said that while it welcomed the proposed development, the problems affecting the business community such as lack of parking and the number of vacant premises should be tackled first before any future development should be considered.