A supermarket chain is to build a giant store despite fears it could kill off local businesses.

ALDI has been given permission by Lewes District Council to demolish a warehouse to make way for a new supermarket.

The controversial plans were opposed by Lewes Town Council and the Friends of Lewes who believe the scheme will damage local trade.

ALDI's development, at Kingston House in Brooks Road, Lewes, will involve the building of a new store along with offices, a car park with 79 spaces and eight cycle spaces.

The district council has approved the proposals but has banned deli counters, a bakery, fish and meat counters from the site in case they cause local independent traders to shut.

Steve Brigden, the clerk at Lewes Town Council, said: "Members objected to the proposals because they are concerned about the movement and volume of traffic it could bring to the area.

"We believe it is bringing a retail park to the area by stealth which raises serious concerns regarding the effect on local independent traders and the general viability of the existing town centre.

"Lewes as an economy is not desperately short of jobs, it is far more concerned with existing trade.

"A couple of years ago we were named as one of the best non-chain high streets. We are largely independent traders in Lewes and it is something that makes Lewes, Lewes.

"It is less about macro-economics and more about the individual traders."

Councillors also granted planning permission to build 11 commercial units and a cycle store at Lower Hoddern Farm, in Hoddern Farm Lane, Peacehaven.

The application was submitted by the Trustees of Lower Hoddern Farm. Some of the existing buildings will be replaced and others retained. They will be used for storage and distribution purposes. There will be 70 car parking spaces with access from Pelham Rise.

The district council received eight letters of objection about the increase in traffic on the road which is already very busy.

Councillor John Livings, the leader of Peacehaven Town Council, said: "It is a working farm already and it is a replacement of some hut type premises with something more up-to-date. It will be a major improvement.

"The only concern is that the highway entrance should be improved for safety reasons because it is quite a fast road where we have already asked for traffic calming measures. This will increase the amount of traffic in the area.

"We welcome the actual improvement to the premises and the possibility of future improvement to employment."

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