Sainsbury's fights back in war of words over plans

The retailer said its proposal to spend 50m on the former Lec site with landowner Sime Darby would boost the local economy rather than destroy jobs.

Max Whitehand, a development executive at Sainsbury's, said: "At a time when many projects are being delayed, Sainsbury's and Sime Darby are seeking to drive regeneration forward in Bognor with the redevelopment of the former Lec site.

"This will deliver the regeneration of an eyesore site and create several hundred new jobs both in the new store and through the other employment uses on the site."

Sainsbury's says the report by Arun District Council's retail consultants, DTZ, about the impact of its possible new store in Bognor was expected to be negative.

This followed the pattern of the advice which DTZ gave to the council about the Asda store plans for Oldlands Farm.

Sainsbury's has its consultants working to refute DTZ's findings. That response will be sent to the district council before councillors decide the store plans.

An initial study for Sainsbury's showed that many Bognor shoppers were buying food outside the town.

This meant a new Sainsbury's along the A29 would bring some of them back into the local area. Its emphasis on food sales would also lessen the impact of its opening on other retailers around the town.

Sainsbury's searched around the town centre for a site for its new store. But it says only the Lec location offered a spot big enough to provide effective competition with the nearby Tesco and stop shoppers travelling further afield.

As well as a store, the one-time fridge factory is intended to be developed to provide jobs. Sime Darby has submitted a planning application for employment purposes.

But the land needs to be cleaned up from its previous use as a gasworks. Sainsbury's also maintains that the expense of the works means that only a retail scheme like the one it proposes will generate enough value to pay for the cost.

Without a new store, there is a risk the land will stay derelict and contaminated for years to come.

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