Concerns have been raised about Sainsbury's plan for the former Lec site in Bognor

Bognor Regis Civic Society deputy chairman Hugh Coster spoke about the plan for the derelict and contaminated land off Shripney Road at its meeting on Tuesday evening.

He said: "Arun District Council's officers are recommending approval '“ even though their retail consultants have told them it will significantly damage the town centre.

"The district council retail consultant has warned against it, saying Morrisons would struggle to compete against Tesco and Sainsbury's '“ and the impact could be high enough to make Morrisons close.

"Do all the proposed mitigation measures outweigh the risk to the town centre of having another superstore?"

Cllr Paul Wells, whose Hotham ward is on the boundary of the Lec site, serves Arun District Council and Bognor Regis Town Council.

He said: "Any development of the Lec site is going to be an advantage to Bognor Regis, cleaning up the site and providing jobs and facilities for new businesses, and anything else that comes along in the pipeline.

"Obviously a decision has not yet been taken by councillors, but everyone would welcome the clean-up of that site as it stands now."

The scheme has received support from some local-interest groups.

Stan Jonas, chairman of Brighter Bognor, said: "We support the planning application for a superstore on this very important gateway site.

"It will improve the image of Bognor Regis, help regeneration, and provide long-overdue competition."

Nick Stuart-Nicholson, the president and chairman of Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce, added: "During the lengthy transition from the old Lec site to the prospect of a totally-new Sainsbury's and other developments, the chamber has been constantly impressed with the hard work of Sime Darby '“ especially the dedication and commitment of Raof Daud and Carolyne Haynes.

"Throughout, there has been a total and admirable transparency regarding the project, through their many public meetings and presentations.

"It has been the chamber's privilege to have been party to this long process, and now we look forward to this exciting new development.

"We hope for a smooth journey into finally establishing this important gateway site.The future prosperity of Bognor Regis is in everyone's mind."

He added: "In this respect, we are convinced the retail sector is recovering rapidly, with the new Wilkinson store in the former Woolworths, the exciting expansion plans for Morrisons in the town centre, and now the prospect of the return of Sainsbury's."

In a representation on the planning application, interest group Bognor Regis Limited said: "The proposal is in accordance with the development brief and represents an important investment in a significant gateway location in Bognor Regis.

"The remedial costs of the site are significant and the retail food sector is probably the only sector that in the short to medium term will make the necessary investment available."

The South-East England Development Agency's representation added: "The delivery of a superstore at this difficult brownfield site will deliver 400 jobs and will help to deliver the regional economic strategy."

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