A BUZZ of anticipation has steadily built in a market town since news broke that two major supermarket chains could soon set up shop.

A consultation has opened for residents of Ulverston to have their say on plans which could see M&S and Aldi open branches in town.

The Beehive Business Park, under development on the A590 near Daltongate, could see the land turned into an enterprise hub within the next two years.

However, a degree of speculation still remains among residents over what benefits, and drawbacks, such a large-scale development could bring.

Lesley Benn, 51, of Soutergate, and Linda Barker, 66, of Beehive Cottages, were cautiously optimistic about the project.

Mrs Benn said: "I'm not opposed to it as such, but I've just got a few issues - the road for a start. It hasn't changed at all even though there are traffic lights. The road is too fast for businesses on the left, there are already so many accidents."

Mrs Barker said: "The A590 has reached capacity and it will only get worse when the Stone Cross Mansions development finishes."

Mrs Benn and Barker added they were supportive overall of the project.

Speaking to The Mail, locals at the consultation said some of their concerns included business being taken away from the town centre, flooding as a result of agricultural land disappearing, and congestion caused by the new junction.

Derek Asbury, 65, of Swarthmoor, was supportive of the project. He said: "I'm an Ulverston person but I've lived all over the country. My personal view is that it's well needed. I think that the site is probably ideal, it's the only spot I could think of in Ulverston that could have it, it doesn't impinge on the town centre.

"I was frightened it would get railroaded by Keep Ulverston Special."

Cumbrian firm Lake District Farmers is set to relocate from Tebay to the hub, as well as Furness Engineering and Technology who will move to the hub from their smaller Ulverston base at Ellers Mill.

If Marks & Spencer and Aldi also move to the site, an estimated 300 jobs will be brought to the area.

Brian Scott, director for the developer Rawdon Property Group, is positive about the consultation's outcome.

He said: "There is keen interest in the plans and we are expecting to be busy as people come to see detailed plans of the site, visualisations of what the buildings will look like and talk to the development team about the various aspects of the scheme."

A 72-year-old, of Oubas Hill, who wished to remain anonymous, said he would withhold judgment until he saw bricks and mortar.

He said: "I'll believe it when I see it, there have been so many occasions like this that didn't come to anything in the end. They talked about the brewery becoming a supermarket for years and nothing came of it."

The consultation will continue until 7pm tonight in the Coronation Hall.

Learn more about the consultation, and how the hub is taking shape by visiting www.nwemail.co.uk.