The proposed development on the former Marshall Tufflex site includes plans for a new community medical centre and car park.

It is estimated the supermarket will create 300 full and part-time jobs.

However, some residents and ward councillors have already criticised the development, fearing that a number of local shops could be forced to close as a result.

Residents had their say on the final plans for the development and quizzed Asda officials at a public open day on Thursday at Newgate Hall in Newgate Road.

Concerns were also raised about increased traffic in Silverhill during a public consultation on the plan.

Gaby Hill, of St Matthew's Gardens, said: "This development will increase traffic here and cause environmental damage around London Road, Bohemia Road and surrounding streets.

"Local shops have been closing down already. This new supermarket will be the death knell for them.

"Developers are promising jobs but what kind of jobs? The majority will be part-time and unskilled jobs."

Caroline Robertson, of St Matthew's Drive, said: "Bohemia and Silverhill are specially designed local shopping areas in the Hastings Local Plan.

"This flies in the face of that."

William Tapsell, of Battle Road, said the development would worsen pollution and congestion on the roads if it got the go-ahead.

He said: "Emergency service vehicles coming through Silverhill could be badly affected by congestion."

But fellow battle Road resident Jean Sullivan said the development would be good for Silverhill as it would bring in a lot more trade.

Daniel Randallnason, of Warrior Square, said: "It will be good for attracting jobs here."

Asda said road access to the site has been changed in a bid to ease possible congestion.

The supermarket chain said the 300-space car park will be available to all visitors to Silverhill, not just Asda customers, in attempt to attract more customers to the area.

Barney Harle, development surveyor for Asda South East, said: "Silverhill was identified by us as a district centre where shopping should be concentrated.

"We have been interested in siting a store in Hastings and St Leonards for more than 10 years.

"Previous sites we looked at elsewhere here failed on national policy guidelines.

"We strongly believe that this is a good site as it provides an opportunity to develop a semi-derelict site by regenerating it.

"This will bring benefits to Silverhill as well as enhancing the area.

"We believe the new store will complement the existing local trade."

Mr Harle said there was no designated car parking in Silverhill and very few residents actually shopped in the area.

He added a recent retail survey revealed 73 per cent of residents in Asda's proposed store's catchment area never visited Silverhill.

Mr Harle said: "A very large number of cars drive to the other supermarkets and cut through Silverhill so with a new store here people can stop and shop in Silverhill and visit the small traders such as the florist's and hairdressers."

If the scheme gets the go-ahead the new store is expected to open in mid 2010.