BUSINESS owners have expressed their anger after council planners backed controversial plans to expand a Hampshire supermarket which could put up to 60 jobs at risk.

Fareham Borough Council has recommended LIDL's plans to expand their store on Speedfields Park in Fareham for approval by the planning committee later today.

As a result, 14 businesses at the Apex Centre at Speedfields Retail Park are under threat after it was revealed that LIDL planned to demolish units 10 to 23 of the centre to make way for a new store to replace their old one in Newgate Lane in Fareham.

Kevin Arrowsmith, director of A&S Signs and Graphics limited who has been at the Apex Centre for 14 years has been fighting the plans since he found out several months ago.

He said: "It would be extremely detrimental if these plans went through.

"The council has not consulted the businesses properly particularly if LIDL have been working on these plans for three years.

"The conduct of LIDL and Fareham Borough Council this regards to this planning application is completely unacceptable.

Lindsey Dowdell, 58, owner of Gearboxes, who specialises in the reconditioning, repairs and servicing of automatic and manual gearboxes and has been at the centre for 33 years said: "The landlords claims you have been offered rent reductions but this is not the case, we have been paying the same rent for two and a half years.

"I cannot afford to move so if I was forced out by LIDL then I will have to cease trading."

The owners also claim that the landlord has advertised other units in the town but everyone has been searching but there are no units available.

Lidl submitted a planning application to Fareham Borough Council in June to demolish its current store at Speedfields Park and build a bigger replacement on the existing site and 10 to 23 Apex Centre right next door.

The existing store, which opened in 2002, currently employs 18 staff but the new store will have 40.

Stubbington Councillor Carolyn Heneghan said: "The proposed Lidl Food Store at Speedfields Park, Newgate Lane, Fareham, threatens the demise of 12 companies and the employment of 60 people.

"These companies have invested £1,000's in their premises and equipment. Relocation would cost £1,000's which many would be unable to afford.

"A larger retail shop (of which there are two like for like in the immediate vicinity) does not provide anything to compare with the loss of such business and expertise."

In response, a spokesperson from Fareham Borough Council said: "This planning application will be considered by the Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday 13th December.

"An Officer’s report has been prepared for the Planning Committee setting out all the relevant planning matters, including the comments received from existing businesses, the applicants and the existing site landlord.

"A representative has arranged to speak at the Planning Committee meeting on behalf of the existing businesses, before the planning application is considered.

"They will have an opportunity to highlight their concerns with the proposals including any aspects of the Officer’s report they do not agree with.

"The Members of the Committee will make a decision after considering all the relevant planning matters including representations made by existing businesses based at the site."

Ian Power, from commercial letting agents Cyan Power, the letting agents for the estate added: “They have not needed any help and having spoken to them from time to time, it is clear that they are managing their relocations."

The meeting to discuss the plans begins at 2.30pm.