Public inquiry over Sainsbury's Bognor plans

DEVELOPERS have expressed their optimism ahead of a crucial public inquiry to settle Sainsbury's regeneration bid for the former Lec site in Shripney Road.

The plans from Sime Darby London Limited would bring more than 400 jobs for the area and were backed by Arun District Council's development committee.

But the scheme was called in last October by the government after complaints surrounding the potential impact of another major supermarket on other retailers in the town.

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Bognor's chamber of commerce led the calls for caution over the application, raising fears a superstore on the edge of the town would serious affect smaller centrally-based traders '“ who have been hit hard by the recession.

Morrisons supermarket in Bognor also launched an objection to the plans from Sainsbury's, claiming its own plans for expansion could be threatened by its rival's application.

The overall proposals for the site, which include a new foodstore and high-quality employment scheme, represent a multi-million pound investment by regenerating a key derelict site.

Those behind the Sainsbury's scheme said it would bring vastly-improved main food shopping choice to Bognor Regis and create more than 400 local jobs in store, through employment uses on land that would be retained by SDLL and during the redevelopment phase.

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Since the launch of Sainsbury's proposals for the Lec site in 2008, the plans have been well received by the community with 95 per cent of the respondents at the public exhibition in November 2008 expressing their support.

Raof Daud, director of landowner, SDLL, said: "The regeneration of this gateway site is a key objective of the Council and has widespread support from the local community.

"Our proposals were developed in line with the aspirations of the development brief for the site which was agreed with Arun District Council in 2008 following extensive public consultation.

"The unanimous backing of Arun's development control committee and the strong support received from local stakeholders and the wider community shows just how important delivering a solution for this key gateway is to the people of Bognor Regis.

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"Most importantly, this solution is viable, deliverable and will help engender new confidence in the town.

"Given the increasing emphasis on community involvement and local opinion in the planning process, we hope that both the planning inspector and the Secretary of State will take the strong support for the scheme seriously."

The public inquiry will start at 10am today (Tuesday, May 11) at Bognor Regis Town Hall, Clarence Road, Bognor Regis and will last for eight days.