Campaigners in Crosspool, Sheffield, have seen off a proposed Sainsbury’s Local on the site of a pub designated an “asset of community value”.

The Save the Plough campaign group feared the viability of other shops and the local Post Office would have been put in jeopardy if councillors had granted planning permission for change of use.

But councillors have now rejected Sainsbury’s application and it is understood the grocery giant has no plans to appeal. A spokesperson from Sainsbury’s said: ”We will no longer be opening a Sainsbury’s Local at the former Plough Inn on Sandygate Lane, Crosspool, Sheffield. Following the decision to refuse the planning application, we have reviewed our options and have decided not to proceed with an appeal. We will continue to look for further opportunities in the area.”

Pub owner EI Group originally agreed a 15-year lease with Sainsbury’s despite the need for planning permission to convert the pub into a convenience store.

Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg supported the local community’s successful attempts in highlighting their opposition to the potential loss of the pub.

The Spar convenience store in the same street as the pub, Sandygate Road, was among opponents. Others within a mile of the site that could have been affected, include The Co-operative Food, Tesco Express and a Londis store.

Graham Quick, manager of Londis Broomhill, was not part of the campaign group but said a Sainsbury’s Local in place of the pub could have harmed other local shops.

Comments on a petition local people signed against Sainsbury’s included the fact that Crosspool already had several local shops from which a Sainsbury’s Local would detract.

Another wanted to see “a halt to the blight that is the plague of major supermarkets opening convenience stores. They kill the trade for local independent businesses.”