A new superstore which opened without being given planning permission for its store frontage has now had its retrospective application turned down.
Sainsbury’s attracted criticism from some for opening in Western Road as the chosen site is opposite an existing Tesco.
There was little planners could do to stop it, as the site already had the necessary retail permissions, and it was granted a licence to sell alcohol.
But its frontage technically needed planning permission – which has now been denied.
Lib Dem Councillor Paul Elgood, who represents Brunswick and Adelaide ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “Sainsbury’s should not have opened the site without full planning consent.
“The new store raises a range of issues, especially in terms of how deliveries for the store will be made.
“Large lorries are now blocking the highway and causing serious disruption.”
Writing on his blog, he said: “I really do call on Sainsbury’s to work with the local community to minimise their impact.
“This is a real victory against the big multinationals who think they can just change the nature of an area out of recognition.
“Brunswick Town has thriving local traders and to lose them would be tragic.”
Large chains which open in Brighton without the relevant planning permission have a history of attracting protest.
When the Starbucks in St James’s Street opened without permission to operate as a cafe, protesters staged demonstrations outside it every Saturday for a year until a government inspector finally gave it the official green light.
