Supermarket giant Asda is to appeal against a council decision to turn down its application for a new store in Rayleigh.

The application, for the former Park School site in Rawreth Lane, includes a new superstore, four other small shops and proposals for either a doctor's surgery or a nursery.

Asda's application was rejected by Rochford District Council on the grounds of potential traffic problems, its impact on the town centre and the amount of noise and disturbaxnce it might cause residents in nearby Priory Chase.

Residents now have six weeks to comment on the appeal and can do so by writing to the planning inspectorate.

District councillor Chris Black said: "We are going on to the next round now.

"Asda is going to appeal on its second application, which is slightly better than the first, because there is more space put aside for community use.

"There would be an awful lot of traffic, which we see as the main problem. By Asda's own figures, at peak times there would be more than 900 vehicles an hour going into the Park School site.

"That includes Asda, the school building, a sports centre and housing."

Outline planning permission for the school, sports centre and homes on the site was granted in 2001.

The new St Nicholas Church of England School has been built this year.

Mr Black also said he was concerned about the impact of the superstore on businesses in Rayleigh town centre.

Last month, council officers recommended refusal for a beauty salon at Lubbards Farm because of the expected impact on the town centre.

Joanne Embery's salon application was eventually approved by councillors after it was called in to a development control meeting.

Mr Black said: "The council officers wanted to refuse planning permission for one small beautician's.

"I think a huge superstore would have more of an impact on the High Street than one beauty salon."

To comment on the appeal, write to: The Planning Inspectorate, 3/16 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, quoting appeal reference number APP/B1550/A/06/2024715/NWF.