Councillors' support for Sainsbury's 'no-brainer' scheme in Bognor

Cllr Andrew Evans said: "This is a no-brainer. I have to support it. It's good for the whole area of Bognor Regis and the surrounding area.

"It may have a damaging effect on parts of the town centre, but I don't think it will be as detrimental as Morrisons would have us believe today."

Cllr Richard Bower said: "I think failure to approve this application will effectively sterilise this site for the next 20 to 30 years. For it to remain the same would be a disaster.

"An extremely strong point in its favour is the fact it is the only use which would generate the funds to clean up the site."

Cllr Sylvia Olliver said: "I can't see any reasoning why people should be against this.

"We have a disaster area there. It looks like a gateway to a run-down town and it should be a town that's up and coming.

"We need something doing on that estate. It's an absolute eyesore. I hope it will happen as soon as possible."

Cllr Jacqui Maconachie said: "I am delighted that at a time when money is short we have this opportunity to clear up a large derelict site.

"That site is so polluted we can hardly get round it in one piece. It's an eyesore and the sooner it's cleaned up the better."

Commenting on the concerns of Morrisons, she added: "They have a very large footfall in Bognor Regis of the elderly and non-drivers who like to do a bit at a time. I don't think Morrisons has any reason to worry."

Cllr David Biss said: "In the last two years new stores have been

built in Rustington, Littlehampton and Storrington. Companies have enlarged two in Chichester and others in Littlehampton and Rustington. That tells me there is a demand.

"I know companies use their loyalty cards to know where their customers live. I suspect a lot of those will come to Bognor Regis rather than fighting their way through traffic to Chichester.

"I don't think it will affect the town centre badly. Why have Wilkinson moved in? They have because they see the competition as fair and they will make business out of it. I support this wholeheartedly."

Both Morrisons and Sainsbury's sent representatives to take

advantage of the three-minute speaking time allowed for members of the public to comment on planning applications.

Richard Reid, of Morrisons, said: "If you decide to back Morrisons instead of Sainsbury's you will get a better shop, more parking and 150 new jobs.

"If you approve Sainsbury's, Morrisons would no longer be viable. This would have serious adverse consequences in the long term."

Bruno Moore, Sainsbury's south-east retail town planning manager, said: "We have not been present in Bognor Regis for 18 years. We very much would like to come back.

"We were impressed with the Lec site. We believe it is a key

brownfield site in desperate need of regeneration, a key gateway site to show Bognor Regis is fit for purpose and open for business.

"We are a good employer, training our staff. We are contributing money for buses, footpaths and local roads."

After hearing the respective pitches '“ and Mr Wheway's advice '“ Cllr Bower said: "It's not up to this committee to judge a beauty contest between applicants.

"I think those commercial considerations are entirely matters for the commercial companies themselves.

"They are not planning considerations and the committee cannot arrive at a planning decision based on a commercial judgement which the committee is not qualified to make."

He felt it was right to delay the Morrisons plan, adding: "Any loss of car parking in Bognor Regis would have an effect on the more general developments in Bognor Regis.

"I think the officers should be renegotiating this with Morrisons to keep car parking loss to an absolute minimum."

Also speaking at the meeting was Ralph Dowd, a Sime Darby director.

He said: "We have conducted a comprehensive consultation over two years. Most people support us.

"There has been universal agreement that the Lec site should be regenerated. The development brief identified retail as a core use. Sainsbury's is that high-quality development partner.

"This is a scheme for the regeneration of the whole Lec site. It is supported, deliverable and sustainable. The scheme is viable and will regenerate this derelict brownfield site.

"Sime Darby and Sainsbury's are stable companies to assure active redevelopment of this site. We can start work almost immediately and can finish at Christmas 2011.

"Before our partnership with Sainsbury's we talked to Morrisons. The consequence of not giving planning permission is to leave the site derelict."

With a yes vote in the bag, Cllr Norman Dingemans, the cabinet member for economic regeneration, was delighted.

He said: "We are on the brink of a significantly better retail future for Bognor Regis, and the associated improvements this development would bring are significant.

"While it is frustrating that we now have to wait before moving

forward, especially after all the hard work to get us to this position, we have to accept and understand the secretary of state's right and role in reviewing the application."

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