Watchdogs attack council's Asda stance

The Bognor Regis Civic Society has written to all Arun district councillors complaining the local authority's officers have failed to negotiate benefits for the town in dealing with Asda's plans for a new store.

They claim the council's failure to deal with the retailer could put hundreds of potential jobs at risk and damage a once-only chance to bring new spending into the town.

Civic society deputy chairman Hugh Coster said: "Arun have given the clear impression they are opposed to Asda's application.

"This could lose us the chance of some 550 much-needed jobs for the area, plus hundreds more through Asda's promise to provide millions of pounds in infrastructure investment for a new business park.

"Not only that, but Asda will bring thousands of new shoppers to the Bognor area and may well consider a park-and-ride to the town centre.

"This could mean millions of pounds in new town-centre business which is precisely what we want for the regeneration of the town.

"All this is put at risk," continued Mr Coster, the chairman of the society's town centre redevelopment sub-committee, "through the simple blind intransigence of certain officers in Arun District Council.

"We have written to all councillors to remind them that all the major representative groups in the town are in favour of the Asda application.

"That includes ourselves, the chamber of commerce and the town council.

"We have also asked the councillors to use their influence to ensure Arun takes a positive attitude towards Asda and negotiates with them to gain the best deal for the town."

Ian Sumnall, Arun's chief executive, denied the council had been treating Asda's application differently from any other major proposals.

The company's application would be brought before the council's development control committee as soon as possible. This is likely to be the December 18 meeting.

The council and its consultants had worked closely with Asda since the company had revealed its intention to open a store for Bognor. The timetables and any delays had been at the request of Asda or with the company's agreement, he stated.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP