Arun allaysconcerns of businesses

The effect on surrounding roads of the thousands of customers expected to head to the Oldlands Farm store each week will also be considered in advance of any decision.

Planning officers from Arun District Council will assess a formal planning proposal from the retailing giant in line with the same principle as any other application.

A council spokeswoman said: 'There will be a need to carefully examine the proposals when submitted to assess whether or not sufficient information has been submitted with the application.

'The required information will include, among other matters, design and access, transport impact, retail impact, flooding, employment and section 106 (legal) requirements for infrastructure payments.'

Asda's proposals will be assessed against a raft of planning policies to see how it fits in to the overall picture for development of farmland.

The assessment by the planners will focus the national planning policies set out the government as well as the draft land use strategy for the south east as well as the county council and district councils' planning guidelines.

Asda will have the option, along with all applicants, of appealing to the planning inspectorate for a public inquiry if Arun rejects its application.