Supermarket will behell claims resident

Barbara McKenzie says the road is already suffering from noise and fumes of heavy traffic and a supermarket on the old Lower School site would be intolerable.

She said: “Many people on Tilling Green say they want a new supermarket but if you speak to people in Ferry Road that is not the case.

“You would not believe how bad this road is already with traffic. Can you imagine how it would be if a big supermarket opens? It would be absolute hell. I don’t think anyone in Ferry Road wants it.

“I already have to keep my front windows closed due to the traffic fumes and there are parents with young children in this road. It can’t be healthy.

“The noise and fumes from cars stopping and starting will be horrendous.

“It is obvious that the old Freda Gardham site at New Road would have been perfect for a supermarket.

“They said that could not happen due to risk of flooding but the Lower School site is also a flood risk and that didn’t stop the supermarket gaining permission.

“I would like to see some nice new houses built on that site.

“We will be sandwiched between a railway line and a busy car park.”

Supermarket giants Sainsbury’s and Tesco are locked in a long-running battle over the site with both being granted planning permission to build a new supermarket by Rother District Council.

Meanwhile houses in Ferry Road bought up by Sainsbury’s have remained empty which has angered residents.

Barbara McKenzie said: “Those little house were occupied by young people who did them up beautifully. Now they are empty and rotting. It is a real shame.

Sainsbury’s owns the majority of the site but Tesco owns the Queen Adelaide pub in Ferry Road, which stands in the way of a proposed access road.

So far Tesco has refused offers from Sainsbury’s to buy the pub.