Campaigners against a town's third Sainsbury's will have the chance to air concerns ahead of the final decision.

Developer, Anderson Group, issued an appeal last month following the rejection of proposed plans to build a three-storey building made up of six flats and a Sainsbury's in Church Hill, Loughton, in September.

Despite the application being recommended by officers in August, the committee rejected the proposal due to the strength of public concern.

Epping Forest District Council confirmed yesterday that a public hearing will be arranged before the planning inspectorate makes a decision on whether to confirm the appeal.

A spokeswoman said: "The planning inspectorate will set a public hearing date ahead of the decision so residents will have the chance to air their concerns if they have any."

Statements from Anderson Group, which will mark the grounds of the appeal, are due to be sent to councillors by Friday.

If successful, the supermarket would be the third within a three-mile radius.

Campaign group Residents Against The Third Sainsbury’s (RATTS), which has been campaigning against the development since April, said they feel the plans would make the area “dangerous”.

Speaking regarding the appeal, member David Wilding said: “Our opinions have not changed.

"Adding the development to the area would bring more danger, Church Hill is already a highly dangerous road."

The public hearing date is set to be announced later this month.