These conditions previously prevented a clothing or food retailer from taking over the site to protect the ‘vitality and viability of Chichester City Centre’. Sports Direct previously submitted an application to change the same condition as Iceland, however were refused on the grounds that it would draw away business from the central clothes shops. Cllr Carol Purnell said: “I don’t think this does any harm to the city centre at all. “I think our city centre is well renowned for small shops, not for big warehouse supermarkets like this.” She added: “We are trying to protect something but if the offer is right it does not need protection.” Discount supermarket Aldi is already signed up to one of the units in Barnfield Drive, joining Wickes, Halfords and the already operating Homebase as the completed Phase One line-up. However, there was some dispute over changing the conditions, with Cllr Richard Plowman stating: “This is just another food outlet amongst more food outlets. “We put the conditions there in the first place to protect the city centre – we can find another use for this building.” Cllr Jane Kilby agreed, adding: “I have concerns that we will have a very large food park and in the long term it will have a detrimental effect to the city centre.” Iceland said it had no plans to close its current store in South Street, adding that it had a ‘long-standing requirement for an additional store in the Chichester area’. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver 3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.