Asda refusal 'will threaten regeneration'

Paul Wells and Francis Oppler, Liberal Democrat members of Arun District Council, said a failure to approve the store would be a catastrophic disaster for the town's regeneration.

Cllr Wells (Bognor Hotham) said: "I can't believe that, in this economic down town, and with people losing their jobs every day the Tory leadership of Arun are going to throw away hundreds of job opportunities for the local economy.

"They say they want to encourage investment in the town. Yet, when someone at last wants to come, it seems Arun don't welcome them with the open arms that other towns seem to."

Cllr Oppler (Bognor Orchard) claimed there was mounting anger among residents at the way the Tory-run district council had behaved over Asda's plans during the past 11 months.

"It seems that Sainsbury's intention to return to Bognor is being more warmly welcomed by Arun than Asda. Perhaps this is just snobbery," he commented.

Asda submitted its planning application last January to provide a new store at Oldlands Farm with some 500 jobs and kick-start a new business park on land earmarked by Arun for job creation.

Business group leader Nick Stuart Nicholson said it would tragic for Bognor Regis if Asda's plans were rejected today (Thursday, December 18).

Mr Stuart Nicolson, chairman of the town's chamber of commerce, said its members were overwhelmingly in favour of welcoming such a major national retailer.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP