Waitrose has withdrawn its plans to open a store in Sandwich, KentOnline can reveal.

In a shocking U-turn, the supermarket chain says it is no longer in a position to progress with plans for a shop in Dover Road due to changes in trading conditions and rising construction costs.

The news comes only weeks after Sainsbury’s abandoned its plan to open a store at Discovery Park.

A spokesman for Waitrose said: “It is with regret that we are no longer in a position to progress plans for a shop in Sandwich.

“We have worked hard with Kimberley Developments to find a solution that would enable us to move forward, but sadly the well-documented changes in trading conditions across the supermarket sector and rising construction costs have impacted the viability of our plans.”

“It is with regret that we are no longer in a position to progress plans for a shop in Sandwich." - Waitrose

The development, which included a new premises for The Butchery Surgery and a pharmacy, was given the go-ahead in November 2014.

The pharmacy was later refused by NHS England, which said there was already enough provision in the town. An appeal later overturned the ruling and the food store, which was set to create 150 jobs, was agreed once again in October last year.

The spokesman added: “It is not a decision we have taken lightly, we wanted to make a positive, lasting contribution to the town and looked forward to the prospect of opening there.

“However, we would not wish to continue without absolute confidence of when we could open and that we would be able to trade sustainably in the future.

“We share in the disappointment this will cause for many residents and are grateful to everyone who took time to meet with us and provide their feedback.”

District councillor Bernard Butcher, who represents the ward of Sandwich, said: “It’s a bit of a blow. I thought it was a very good idea for the town.

“A lot of people in Sandwich were looking forward to Waitrose because it’s a totally different style of supermarket.”

In a bid to save the GP surgery and a pharmacy, Cllr Butcher has suggested developer Kimberley could sell its plans to another supermarket.

He said: “They have three years from the day we gave permission and there’s about 18 months left until that deadline.

“They could sell on the approval to another company and as long as the development is identical to the one we gave permission to, they can continue to do it.”

A spokesman for Dover District Council said: “It is a matter for the parties involved to comment on their intentions for development at this site.

“If the development materially varies from what has been permitted then further planning permission would be required.”

A spokesman for Waitrose said: “Kimberley are reviewing their options and will make a further announcement at a later date.”

Kimberley Developments had not commented at the time of going to print.