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.