A national supermarket chain has appealed against a decision to reject its plans for a new store in Braintree.

Sainsburys first applied to build a new shop on the Broomhills Industrial Estate in Brook Road in July 2012, but the plans were turned down by Braintree District Council in November last year.

Now the retailer has referred the decision to a planning inspector with the hope of getting it overturned.

It hopes a public inquiry will demonstrate there is enough support for the plans within the town.

The planning inspector has agreed to hold an inquiry-form of appeal.

The proposal is to demolish a row of terraced industrial buildings on the estate and replace it with the new supermarket.

A restaurant and cash machine would also be at the new store, as well as an online shopping delivery service and a car park with 502 spaces.

Sainsburys said the new store would employ approximately 400 full-time-equivalent staff.

The supermarket chain already has a store in the town centre which it also plans to refurbish.

Also included in the plans is keeping four industrial units with their own parking and service yard.

Some local residents objected to the plans with concerns about light and noise pollution, and increased traffic particularly at weekends when the site is not currently used.

People also said the store would draw people away from the town centre, damaging businesses and potentially jobs elsewhere in Braintree.

However some nearby residents did support the scheme and raised a petition with several hundred signatures backing the plans.

Sainsburys said the new store would not detract from the town centre, saying it would not want to damage its own trading at the town centre site.

The council’s planning committee turned down the plans on the basis it would have too severe an impact on the town centre, with additional concerns about design and a developer funding agreement.

Comments to the planning inspectorate must be made by July 25.