A new Sainsbury’s superstore would have a “significant adverse impact” on Braintree town centre, a government minister has ruled.

Communites secretary Greg Clark has backed Braintree Council’s decision to turn down the chain’s plans for a 4,765 sq m store on the Broomhills Industrial Estate, off Pod’s Brook Road.

The company applied for planning permission in 2011 but it was rejected in 2013 on the grounds that an out-of-town store would have a negative effect on shoppers coming into the town centre.

An appeal was heard by the government’s planning inspector in December but the case was so complex it was referred to communities minister Greg Clark.

His judgement, published today, ruled that despite the scheme’s benefits the council was right to refuse planning permission.

In his report, he said a new store would be “a substantial improvement to the appearance and character of the area.”

However, he noted that the council had allocated the site for a variety of uses in its draft development plan, which included employment but not food retail.

The main issue was that while Braintree shops were currently “healthy”, a store on the Broomhills site would take about £8m out of the town centre economy.

Sainsbury’s now has six weeks to challenge the decision at the High Court.