Plans for a retail park in Littlehampton containing big names such as M&S Food, Lidl, B&Q and Greggs have been approved by Arun District Council.
The application from Hallway Properties Ltd for the Watersmead Business Park site, in Norway Lane, was given the nod by the planning committee on Wednesday, July 22.
Officers had recommended the plans be refused, citing the potential loss of trade in Rustington and Littlehampton. But the majority of the committee disagreed, stating that the employment and economic benefits of the development would outweigh any adverse impact on both areas.
Ricky Bower (Con, East Preston) felt the potential impact on trade in Littlehampton had been ‘overstated quite considerably’. He added: “You’ve got a large number of vape shops and cafés in Littlehampton. They’re not in competition whatsoever with this proposal.”
As for shops in Rustington, Mr Bower said the area was ‘robust’ and could ‘stand on its own two feet without any problem’. He added: “The economy of this area needs a boost and this is admirably suited to do that.”
The site used to be home to Amazon warehouses and The Body Shop HQ – the latter’s famous pagoda-style building has already been demolished.
The development is expected to create more than 500 jobs, including 70 at M&S Food. It will be made up of six units, the largest of which should be taken by M&S and Lidl.
Following a ‘promotional campaign’ from M&S, the council received more than 1,000 letters, the majority of which supported the application.
Mike Devine, of the M&S property team, said: “A massive thank you to everyone who has shown their support.
“We are now one step closer to bringing the very best of M&S Food to Littlehampton from a show-stopping store and creating new local jobs. We will make sure to keep the community updated as plans progress.”
To view the application in full, log on to www.arun.gov.uk and search for LU/93/25/PL.
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