ALDI has submitted plans to build a discount supermarket that could create up to 50 jobs in a Hampshire town.
The UK's fifth-largest grocery chain is seeking consent to transform a four-acre site beside AFC Totton by providing a 1,890sqm store.
Aldi has also submitted proposals for a 1,848sqm employment unit on another part of the plot, which borders the A36 Salisbury Road.
The proposed development represents a multi-million-pound investment in the area.
The scheme was welcomed by Totton councillor David Harrison.
He said: "I have long felt the town could do with more supermarket capacity and competition. This is especially so with new housing developments planned, mainly north of Totton."
Referring to existing supermarkets in the town he said: "There will still be lots of business for Asda, Morrisons, Lidl and the Co-ops. I see this as good news."
READ MORE: Aldi says it wants to build 17 new supermarkets across Hampshire
Aldi's application says: "The provision of a discount food outlet and an employment unit will provide a valuable service to the local community as well as job opportunities.
"It will bring substantial investment into the area and enhance an undeveloped site through the provision of two new buildings and associated infrastructure."
If the scheme is approved the new supermarket will be built on the northern half of the site.
The proposal includes 191 parking spaces - 144 for Aldi customers and 47 for the employment unit, which will occupy the southern side of the plot.
"The landscape strategy is designed to mitigate any loss of existing trees and to improve the local amenity," says the application.
"New landscaping will be planted with native species with a known benefit to wildlife. There will be a variety of ornamental shrubs to provide interest throughout the year whilst also contributing to the biodiversity of the site.
"New trees have been proposed through the Aldi car park to break up the expanse of hard landscaping."
Plans to build a supermarket on the site were first unveiled in August last year.
Speaking at the time Aldi property director Lee McCandless said: “We have been working on proposals for the site for some time and look forward to hearing the views of the local community prior to submitting an application to New Forest District Council.
"Our proposals represent an opportunity to build a new discount food store, improving local shopping choice for residents in Totton.
“The store would make use of a currently under-utilised site which has been earmarked for development."
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