SAINSBURY S has hit back at an East Devon District Council recommendation – saying it has put their Seaton regeneration proposals in jeopardy .

SAINSBURY'S has hit back at an East Devon District Council recommendation - saying it has put their Seaton regeneration proposals in 'jeopardy'.

Planning officers at Knowle are recommending a rival plan by Tesco be approved.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said the proposal, which includes a food store, with lower ground car park - as well as a Jurassic Coast Visitor Centre, tramway and tourist information centre, was backed by 94 per cent of the town's residents and traders.

Jamie Baker, Sainsbury's development executive, said: "We are very disappointed and surprised with the officers' recommendation. We believe our proposal offers the best opportunity to attract more people to Seaton and support the town's aspirations for wider regeneration.

"Every element of our scheme - not just the supermarket - is well developed and can be delivered in one phase, with no need for landfill and limited construction traffic.

"The combination of the only Sainsbury's for 21 miles, enhanced pedestrian links, signage and information boards, will also encourage more people to visit town centre shops - boosting local trade."

He said there were strong reasons to grant permission, such as the creation of more than 200 full and part time jobs and the development of the regeneration area.

He added: "In addition to these individual merits, I hope the clearly expressed comments of the people of Seaton are taken into consideration when the committee meets on September 15.