PLANS to build a new Aldi supermarket in Newport's Mon Bank Estate look set to be refused, amid objections from local residents and rival supermarkets – including Lidl.

Late last year, plans to build a new Aldi store in Abberley Hall Road were unveiled, which included 115 car parking spaces.

But, despite the plans outlining 40 new jobs in the local area, the proposal was met with a great deal of opposition locally.

In total, Newport City Council received 62 objections, a 221 signature petition in opposition, and letters of objection from both Tesco and Lidl.

There were a large number of reasons given for opposition, including an increase in traffic in a largely residential area, safety concerns due to delivery lorries, and the presence of two established supermarkets in the area already.

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The proposal, which was submitted to the council by Planning Potential Ltd on behalf of Aldi Stores Limited, is set to go before the planning committee tomorrow (Wednesday, November 3).

However, planning officers have recommended that the proposed store be refused.

The reasons given include a failure to demonstrate a need for a large supermarket at this site, and, due to the over provision of car parking spaces, no incentive to encourage customers to travel by sustainable means.

That being said, last year, Newport City Council’s planning committee approved plans to build an Aldi store in Crindau – despite officers recommending it be refused.

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What do plans show?

The proposed Aldi store comes as part of the Mon Bank housing development, with the site in question located on the north-eastern edge of the estate.

Historically, this brownfield land was used as railway sidings.

The entire Mon Bank estate was originally owned by Network Rail, though permission for the housing development was granted in 2007.

It would be the third Aldi store in the city, joining existing retail spaces in Spytty and Barrack Hill.

As part of their original application, the retailer said that their current Newport stores are: “significantly overtrading”, and that a new store would benefit those living in and around the western side of the city.

South Wales Argus: The site of the proposed store next to the Mon Bank estateThe site of the proposed store next to the Mon Bank estate

The new store would be open for business from 8am to 10pm Monday through Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

Plans also suggest that the store would employ 40 people.