The supermarket chain Lidl has been given permission from councillors to proceed with plans for a new store in Wishaw.

The company had applied for approval for a new store, with a total floor space of almost 2,000 square metres, along with parking spaces, two electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle storage, with access coming from Heathery via a new roundabout.

North Lanarkshire Council’s planning department had recommended granting the application subject to various conditions as although contrary to zoning designations in the local plan it was considered to be an “acceptable alternative use” of the site.

The council received a total of three objections in relation to these plans but all arrived outwith the statutory timescales and were dismissed.

It was however noted that a number of revisions had been made to the original proposals, in line with recommendations made in a transportation assessment, and these changes also happened to cover many points raised in the objections.

It was therefore deemed that the plans contained “no unacceptable impacts for road and pedestrian safety”.

This new store will replace Lidl’s existing town centre location. The plans will also see new jobs created in addition to the current employees.

The move is no expected to have any adverse effects on the council’s future plans for Wishaw town centre.

Should any other retailer wish to take over the former town centre Lidl planning permission would not be required.