Support for Bognor's planned Sainsbury's store

As the public inquiry entered its second week, a wide range of community interest groups backed by the town council spoke in favour of granting approval of the scheme.

The superstore would mean up to 400 new jobs but it is being opposed by Morrisons which claims its town centre store would be under threat of closure if the plans are approved.

Ann Smee of Bersted Parish Council summed up the view of the majority of residents.

She said: "This is an extremely deprived area and the 6,000 people living here were against this application being called in by the government.

"Unemployment here is running at 1,800 people so the 400 jobs and training Sainsbury's will bring are the first real steps to the town's regeneration."

A crucial piece of evidence emerged as planning consultant Gary Morris revealed details of a failed bid by Morrisons to acquire the Lec site which has stood vacant for six years.

But on learning of its rejection in July 2008, the company stated in a coded correspondence 'they would now have no alternative but to go ahead extending our town centre store'.

David Myres, of Bognor Regis Limited, which represents 20 leading firms in the town believed Sainsbury's bid was vital to attract other businesses to the area.

He said: "We support the Sainsbury's application as Sime Darby has progressed the development through extensive consultation resulting in a Development Brief endorsed by Arun District Council."

Nick Stuart-Nicolson, president of Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce confirmed his backing for Sainsbury's.

"We represent many hundreds of businesses in and around Bognor Regis wishes to re-iterate its wholehearted support for the Sainsbury's planning application.

"These include the very positive creation of employment and the effect of attracting other businesses to the area with all the attendant benefits this would bring."

Stan Jonas, of the Brighter Bognor regeneration group said: "We strongly support the provision of a superstore and industrial enterprise unit on this site. The need to redevelop this derelict land is self-evident. For too long it has remained an eyesore.

"Morrisons has suggested alternative uses for the site including mixed use residential but these were fully considered and rejected by those who took part in Sime Darby in its lengthy consultation."

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