PLANS for a supermarket which could create up to 40 jobs in Hampshire have been given the green light.

Around 400 residents saw members of Fareham Borough Council approve the proposal by German giant Lidl to build a store at Castle Trading Estate in Portchester in a meeting at Ferneham Hall in Fareham today.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, the council received more than 1,000 letters of support from people living near the site, as well as 13 objections.

Lidl says the 1,506 square metre shop would have five full time staff and supporters say it would rejuvenate the area and give more choice to shoppers, as well as providing five full-time jobs and 35 part-time jobs.

Daily Echo:

A Fareham Council document recommending the project for approval said work done to assess the retail impact on Portchester District Centre had not judged it to be significantly adverse.

A Lidl questionnaire found that 90 per cent of the 3,533 people surveyed were in favour of the project going ahead, while six per cent were against it and four undecided.

The site was used by Homewoods Interiors and included an industrial unit that was recently demolished.

 

Lidl plans to construct a new single-story store which would also include a 70-bay car park.