Asda's big thank-you to all supporters

Speaking after the store plans were rejected by councillors, the company's property communications manager, Tom McGarry, said that residents couldn't have done more.

"Asda would like to thank the community in Bognor '“ including local councillors '“ who supported this application with both votes and public statements.

"The civic society has been outstanding and the coachload of

supporters who went to the committee meeting were fantastic," he continued.

"It is a shame that powerful people from outside Bognor have ignored the voice of the real experts on the town's regeneration '“ that of the people who live and work there."

Mr McGarry stressed that Asda had received support from an area wider than just Bognor. This widespread backing extended to Yapton and Barnham whose councillors rejected the proposals in spite of the

public's opinion.

Mr McGarry questioned the way the meeting was organised.

"It really was not a balanced debate. Officers had a free run to continually defend a poor case. Asda had a bare three minutes.

"At one point, members were dramatically informed that, if they voted for the proposals, they would be voting against the local plan

(land-use guidelines) and it would be in ruins," he stated.

"Yet we were only proposing a change in allocation for part of the land. If the council is going to be that inflexible in its approach to

regeneration, how will Arun come through the economic downturn?"