There is anger after plans were approved for a huge Aldi supermarket in a harbour.

The new discount store in Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, was given the go ahead by the borough council last month.

During the consultation period there were 700 objections and only 50 supporting representations.

Eastbourne Conservatives said the decision was against the local plan which “ruled out retail use of the site”.

The Argus: Objectors protesting outside Eastbourne Town Hall. Image credit: Raj PisavadiaObjectors protesting outside Eastbourne Town Hall. Image credit: Raj Pisavadia

“It was surprising that the committee was told by planning officers that the sheer weight of opposition was not a material consideration in support of refusal,” said Conservative councillor Penny di Cara

The Conservatives representing Sovereign ward have written to government minister for planning and local government Michael Gove to question the approval of the proposals.

“Rest assured the residents can be confident of our full support as they explore every avenue against this scheme which has serious health and safety issues for those living in the area,” said fellow Conservative councillor Kshama Shore.

“The planning committee simply can’t be allowed to ride roughshod over the wishes of the residents like this.”

Objectors living near the site claimed that access for the area would become busier with increased traffic from the proposed store but emergency vehicles may be impeded, including access to the RNLI station.

This concern was not shared by East Sussex Highways, which has not raised any objections to the proposals and deemed the proposed access arrangements to be suitable. 

“Our fear is that the planning committee felt that approval was the ‘easy option’ to avoid the fear of Aldi taking the application to appeal and the virtually bankrupt council being landed with expensive legal costs,” said Cllr Shore.

A total of three proposals, a 66-bed care home, a building containing 57 retirement-living apartments and the new Aldi, were approved by the council’s planning committee for a strip of land between Pacific Drive and Pevensey Bay Road in Sovereign Harbour.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “This planning application was considered and approved at committee taking into consideration all relevant information including consultations, policies and representations.”