Bognor Sainsbury's: Secretary of State to review application

John Denham, the secretary of state for communities and local government, has asked to review the Sainsbury's application.

If he finds nothing wrong with it, Arun District Council's decision will stand and work can begin.

But if he has concerns, the scheme could be subjected to an expensive and lengthy public inquiry. And Morrisons '“ which is planning a redevelopment of its town centre store '“ also threatened to throw a spanner in the works.

With its own scheme delayed by parking problems, it wrote to the council two days before the development control committee met in Littlehampton.

Morrisons development manager Justin Fletcher claimed its plan would no longer be viable if the Sainsbury's proposal was approved.

He asked for the Lec site application to be deferred until both were ready to be considered at the same time.

The council's strategic development planner Keith Wheway made three major points to members.

He told them they did not have to consider the Sainsbury's and Morrisons plans together, or choose to approve one and reject the other.

Speaking about the Lec site, Mr Wheway reminded them they were considering an application for a superstore rather than picking a favoured occupier.

The committee heard the latest situation on the Morrisons scheme first, and unanimously backed the recommendation council officers negotiate changes to keep as much parking as possible.

It then gave unanimous support to the Lec site proposal, subject to possible government intervention.

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