THE supermarket firm Aldi has announced it has been given permission to build a new store in Wrexham Road.

Plans for the controversial store were initially rejected in January 2018 after Shropshire Council's planning officers believed it would have a negative impact on the town centre while there was a poor connection from the town to the site near the A41.

However, the firm took the council to appeal and there, planning officers did not offer any evidence to the planning inspector, therefore removing any opposition to the plans.

The supermarket, which had received high volumes of support and objections, is now expected to go ahead in the coming months, leaving the firm delighted at the overturning of the original decision.

George Brown, property director for Aldi said: "We’re delighted the planning inspector has made this decision and agrees that the reasons given for the refusal should not be upheld.

"Aldi believes its plans for Whitchurch would not only provide more shopping choice locally, but also benefit the area through the creation of around 40 new jobs and driving investment into the town.

"We’re now looking forward to starting our initial work on site and getting ready for construction which will begin in the coming months.”

The new foodstore did receive more 120 submissions of support received by the council; however, Whitchurch Town Council, prominent business people in the town and residents in Wrexham Road all opposed the application on grounds of taking canal boat business from the High Street and causing further traffic congestion.

The town council also stated that they were not adverse to Aldi coming to the town but not at the proposed site they are now to set to occupy.