Developers hoping to build a supermarket by knocking down a village pub have vowed to continue searching for a home in the town.

More than 200 people opposing German firm Aldi's scheme packed the South Green Memorial Hall last Wednesday to hear that the plan to knock down the Burstead Plough pub and replace it with a superstore had been rejected.

However, Aldi still plans to forge ahead with its plan for South Green, Billericay, even though it faces major opposition. One option is to re-submit a revised application for the already earmarked South Green site.

Councillors feel the project would not fit in to the area and would swallow up trade from independent shopkeepers, as well as cause traffic congestion.

But Aldi believes it has got something to offer residents by opening a low-key supermarket selling around 500 different products at bargain prices, offering an alternative to Waitrose and Tesco shops.

A spokesman for Aldi said: "We were surprised by the decision but Aldi remains committed to providing a store in Billericay."

Phil Turner (Con, Billericay West), who voted against the plan, said: "Aldi needs to have residents on its side and it would be more responsible if it took residents with them, rather than just push them along.

"If they are serious about pursuing this, there are serious issues to address, such as the aesthetics of traffic flow, parking and safety."

Published Tuesday October 22, 2002

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