VOTE: Stores at war

Morrisons claimed its rival's bid could cause the collapse of its business in Bognor and prevent a revamp of its present site, which would include removal of the eyesore Fitzleet car park.

Speaking for Morrisons, Vincent Fraser QC told the packed inquiry commercial studies indicated the scheme on Shripney Road, which includes a business enterprise centre and petrol filling station, was unnecessary and would significantly damage town-centre trade.

"Consultants on this site have advised the convenience store envisaged by St Modwen on its Hothampton site and Morrisons' own plans would be prevented from going forward if Sainsbury's is approved," he said.

"It could put Morrisons at risk of closure and they are not alone in that view. Knight Frank, which also consulted on the town centre, found a similar view.

"It will have a substantial adverse impact on the town centre. The Sainsbury's proposals fail the impact tests and fail to accord with planning policy."

He also attacked Sainsbury's and its development partner Sime Darby over the pledge of 6m into vital decontamination of the site, which developers now believe could cost little more than 1m.

Arun District Council's solicitor Anne Williams and QC Nathalie Lieven, representing Sainsbury's, refuted Morrisons' position.

They believed planning policy should be over-ridden in favour of the overall regeneration benefit of the supermarket's application.

Miss Lieven said all parties acknowledged there would be some impact on the town centre, but the benefits were significant.

She said: "The level of local support for these proposals is great, not least from the council, but from the Chamber of Commerce and groups like Bognor Regis Vision. This application will give choice and competition to shopping in Bognor, which has been dominated by Tesco in Shripney."

She dismissed claims Morrisons was in danger of closure as

'scare-mongering'.

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