Supermarket Aldi launches public consultation ahead of plans for Totton store
A GERMAN supermarket chain has announced plans to open a new store in Totton which could create 40 jobs.
Aldi wants to develop a vacant site off the A36 Salisbury Road between Testwood Park and AFC Totton's ground.
If approved, the new food store would cover approximately 14,150 sq ft and provide 112 car parking spaces. There would also be four electric vehicle charging points.
In addition to the new supermarket, the company also intends to seek outline planning permission for 19,000 sq ft of employment space on the same site, which would have its own parking.
Ahead of a formal planning application to New Forest District Council, the retailer has launched an online public consultation to gain locals' views on the plans.
It stated: "Aldi has wanted to open a store in the Totton area for some time and is delighted to have found a suitable location on Salisbury Road.
"The site will be redeveloped to provide an Aldi discount food store and 19,900 sq ft of employment space.
"Aldi’s multi-million-pound investment will bring this disused site into beneficial, economic use providing vital retail choice and much-needed employment space for the local community."
It added: "A new store would provide local people with easier access to our popular, high quality, great value offer [and] will create up to 40 new jobs, which Aldi will actively seek to recruit from the local area. The wider site will also create further employment opportunities."
Welcoming the proposal, Totton and Eling town councillor David Harrison said: "I have felt for some time that Totton could probably benefit from the addition of another supermarket.
"A few years ago, it looked as though the Eling wharf site would be developed with a supermarket, but the plans came to nothing.
"Aldi is a popular store with a good reputation. I think it will be broadly welcomed, especially as the town is set to grow with yet more homes built nearby."
To view the plans, visit www.aldiconsultation.co.uk/totton/
