Sainsbury's has formally lodged an appeal against Braintree Council’s decision to reject plans for a huge new store in braintree.

Braintree Council threw out the supermarket giant’s proposals for a store on the Broomhills Industrial Estate in Braintree in November, despite a petition of almost 2,000 signatures supporting the plans.

Councillors argued the proposed store would have a detrimental impact on trade in the town centre.

Last week, the Times exclusively revealed Sainsbury's was planning to launch an eleventh hour appeal.

A spokesman for the supermarket chain has today revealed that has now happened.

The appeal was formally lodged last night.