Asda store plan for Bognor put on hold

The delay means that the chance of the large outlet of 75,000-80,000sq ft being opened at Oldlands Farm on the A29 before 2010 is unlikely.

It is also puts back the completion of the initial phase of the neighbouring business park which the retailer promised to fund on the 11.25ha site.

The entire package is worth 30m to Bognor. Of this, 4.5m would be spent on installing the services and building the initial 10,000sq ft premises for the long-awaited business park. The overall development is predicted to produce 1,500 jobs. The store will account for 500 of the workers.

Arun District Council had been due to decide whether Asda's planning application, the largest retail proposal for Bognor for 20 years, should be given the go-ahead. But the council has delayed the decision.

Planning officer Keith Wheway said it was unclear when it would be taken.

"We are still dealing with the application," he explained.

"It's a large application and, at this stage, we are not in a position to say which committee meeting it is likely to go to."

The council has hired specialist consultants, EDAW, to advise it on deciding Asda's plans. The company's intended premises are slightly smaller than the existing Tesco store further south along the A29.

But the proposed Asda would sell the company's entire range of food and non-food products.

The scale of the branch and its attraction to customers from a wide area are among the issues being looked at by EDAW.

Mr Wheway said other matters being given detailed consideration were those relating to highways and traffic, the effect of the Asda on Bognor town centre and the risk of flooding on the site, which leads to the Lidsey Rife.

"I have a lot of meetings this month with Asda and with EDAW. I will know more about the date when the plans will be considered after those meetings have taken place," he stated.

Asda development surveyor Barney Harle said the company was still keen to open a store in Bognor.

"This delay has absolutely not put us off wanting to come to Bognor," he stated.

"We are still fully committed to coming to the town. In fact, with the eco-town announcement for Ford, it makes another reason for us to go there."

Asda claims its store will help to regenerate the Bognor area by encouraging shoppers who leave the town to go to elsewhere will be able to shop locally.

It says the business park, which has been suggested for nine years, will not be built unless its funding is provided.

Asda's proposals have won the conditional backing of Bognor Regis Ltd's members and Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce for providing modern premises where businesses can create new jobs.

Approval has also been given, with conditions, by Bognor Regis Town Council and Bersted Parish Council.