A leading supermarket has confirmed it has dropped plans to build a 30,000 sq ft store at Discovery Park in Sandwich.

Sainsbury's initially put in a planning application to build a store at the site in September 2014.

Dover District Council planners gave it the nod, but full permission had not been granted.

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Today's announcement has come as a result of the change in shopping patterns, according to a review.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said:“We have not taken this decision lightly and are very disappointed we are not able to open a new store at Discovery Park.

"Since the proposals were first announced, shopping patterns have changed considerably and following a review, the scheme is no longer viable for us.

"We have been extremely grateful for the strong level of local support for the scheme and recognise that this news will be very disappointing to many people.”

In December 2014, KentOnline's sister paper the East Kent Mercury Sandwich edition reported concerns that the chain would pull out.

Paul Barber, the managing director of Discovery Park, said: “While we are disappointed that Sainsbury’s has decided not to proceed, we are fully aware of the changes in shopping patterns since the planning application was approved.

'We are now busy working on new proposals for that particular plot of land' - MD, Paul Barber

"We are now busy working on new proposals for that particular plot of landand a further announcement will be made in due course.

“The decision has no impact on the other elements of our master plan for the site, not least in terms of our housing land, which is progressing well and is expected to see the first properties under construction later this year.

In terms of employment too we now have more than 120 companies based here, employing some 2,400 people between them.

"That will increase further as our refurbishment programme continues.”

• The nearest Sainsbury's stores to Sandwich residents are in West Street, Deal, orDadson Way, Ramsgate.