Asda could appeal to government after rejection of Bognor store plans

The company said after the vote that it was considering its options.

Tom McGarry, Asda's communications manager, said the firm might also ask the local government ombudsman, who ensures councils run their businesses properly, to investigate Arun's conduct at the decisive meeting where officers intervened during the discussion.

He accused the councillors who had rejected the scheme as ignoring the wishes of their voters.

Some 82 per cent of people in Barnham ward, represented by Cllr Jean Goad, wanted Asda, a poll had shown.

It was 79 per cent in the Yapton ward represented by Cllr Stephen Haymes and 85 per cent in the Aldwick West area of Cllr Jacqueline Maconachie.

"I am aghast these councillors should go against what the

residents in their area so clearly want," he said.

"To try to disguise this application as contrary to the concept of

regeneration of Bognor is wrong.

"That should be flexible and should welcome investment. It is a tragedy that is not the case.

"It just goes to show how static the council's approach to development, investment and the creation of jobs is.