Lidl refused permission to build store

In February the Express revealed the supermarket giant wanted to build a 1,093 square metre store with 51 parking spaces at Ropemaker Park, South Road.

But Wealden District councillors rejected the bid when they met on Friday.

They said the application breached the Government's national planning policy guidance.

A council spokesman said: 'Planners did not consider use of the site, designated for industrial use, as a supermarket was justified.

'The application did not meet the thrust of government policies seeking to direct retail activity to town centres.

'The proposal also contravened policies that safeguard commercial and industrial land, design and sustainability.'

Marco Ivone from Lidl would not say if there would be an appeal.

He said: 'We need to wait until we receive all the relevant information before any decision is made on which course of action to take.'

Hailsham Town Council objected to the Lidl application.

Councillors wanted the store to be placed on a site nearer the town centre.

Cllr Bill Crittenden, vice-chairman of the town council planning panel, hoped the refusal would not spell the end of Lidl's plans.

He said: 'We are not against Lidl coming into Hailsham but did not consider it was the right position to be there.

'It has got to be a suitable site.

'That was about the only concern.'

Aldi superstores, a rival to Lidl, is fighting to build a store at the cattle market site in Market Street.

In November the district council refused planning permission.

As revealed in last week's Express, Aldi is appealing to the planning inspectorate.

'¢ Other companies are still planning to move into the Ropemaker Park development.

Developerss Quadrant Estates and Helical Bar PLC are joint business partners overseeing the site.

Hugh Chesterton, from Quadrant Estates, said: 'The lion's share of the development has now been committed to and there are only a handful of units available at Ropemaker.

'In terms of further companies, we are in discussions with several at the moment.

'We are not at liberty to divulge their identities at this stage.'

Kentucky Fried Chicken wants to move into a retail unit, measuring 4,500 sq ft, under construction at the front of the site.

Mr Chesterton said: 'This is capable of being split into up to four units and will be practically complete in October.

'We have already signed up KFC on 1,500 sq ft of this.'

A children's nursery is likely to be run at the Ropemaker park by a private company.

Companies already committed to Ropemaker include: Marlow Ropes (English Braids), Howden Joinery, Waverley TBS, Topline Electronics, Look Designs, Barge Tiles, Plant Movements and Sussex Plumbing Supplies.