THIS is what Chickerell’s first supermarket could look like if proposals are approved later this summer.

In April, DJ Property announced plans for an Aldi supermarket to be built at Link Park on the Granby Industrial Estate.

If approved up to 50 new jobs will be created.

The proposal was discussed at length at a Chickerell Town Council meeting.

Alan Williams from Planning Potential and planning consultants to Aldi presented plans to councillors ahead of a planning application being submitted.

Aldi’s Jubilee Retail Park store will remain open and the proposed Link Park store will be the firm’s fifth store to open in Dorset and the first ever food store for Chickerell. The store will have a floor area of approx 1,254 sq m (net).

This site will also serve the busy Granby Industrial Estate and the western side of Weymouth.

Mickey Jones, chief executive of landowners DJ Property said: “Thousands of consultation leaflets have been sent to the residents and businesses of Chickerell in recent days. This not only shows Aldi’s commitment to delivering Chickerell’s first supermarket, but also demonstrates their intention to listen to the local people and deliver the correct solution for the local market.

“I am delighted that Aldi chose Link Park for their Chickerell store, further underlining its leading reputation as the best business location in south Dorset. The healthy mix of local residents and many local businesses, within walking distance of the proposed store, will ensure buoyant trade and provide Chickerell with this much needed infrastructure for years to come.”

The proposed Aldi development was the first agenda item of the meeting and was well received by councillors. Those attending the meeting had the time to discuss Aldi’s proposals at length. The comments and observations requested that Aldi consider a few changes in their application.

Such changes included increasing the number of disabled car park spaces from the four proposed; considering a larger Aldi store which would cover the whole site; ensuring that there are a variety of trolleys and baskets to accommodate all customers; considering the possible impact of increased customer numbers to the store in July and August; that efforts are made to try and open the store by Christmas 2016 and car park lighting is switched off when the store is closed. It was also requested that no zero hour contracts are issued to employees.

An Aldi spokesperson said: “It is great to have the opportunity to discuss plans with local people before progressing a planning application. The initial feedback has been really encouraging and it is already evident that many Chickerell residents would welcome an Aldi in the town so they can shop and save without having to travel so far.”

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