Supermarket giant Tesco has been refused permission for a village store for the second time this year.

The issue will now be settled by a Government planning inspector next February as the firm has already appealed.

It wants a Tesco Express on the site of an empty car showroom in West Street, Rottingdean.

In May, Brighton and Hove city councillors refused an application on the grounds of design, congestion and the impact on local residents.

Tesco made some changes and resubmitted it but last night the planning committee snubbed the design.

Labour councillor Delia Forester said: "I am very unhappy about the Tescoisation of our High Streets.

"There is nothing wrong with having a shop but this is a barn. Tesco should respect the neighbourhood and this design simply is not good enough."

Conservationist John Small said the design was a bad example of Sixties style.

He added: "Tesco will be making a monkey out of us if we approve it today."

Tory councillor Lynda Hyde said most people in the village wanted a new shop but some problems with the application had not been resolved.

Voting was 4-3 against with five abstentions.

Thursday October 16, 2003