Plans for a budget supermarket in Grove have been resubmitted two years after original plans were rejected by councillors over concerns it would take up too much green space.

Resubmitted plans for a Lidl on a green field east of Grove Road, next to Elm Farm Business Park, have been met with support from Grove residents who say the area is in "desperate" need of another supermarket.

Many people living in the area say the plans for the Lidl are "long overdue" after the previous plans were rejected in 2020 and have commented on the planning application on the Vale of White Horse District Council website.

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Louise Brown of Tubbs Close in Grove has commented on the planning application that for "lower budget families Lidl would be very welcome indeed."

Lauren Hesford of Charlton Road in Wantage also commented in support of the application and said Wantage needs the infrastructure as people travel out of the area to access "cheaper and better" shopping options.

She said: "Thousands more houses are being planned for the town, give us the infrastructure to sustain the town, rather than end up with a sprawling housing estate of 20,000 plus people who have to drive eight miles plus to decent shopping options."

Herald Series: Visualisation of Lidl in Grove. Plans by GSC Estates (Wantage) Limited and Lidl Great Britain Limited

In the design and access statement attached to the planning application, Lidl explains the new plans are similar to the previous ones, but with a smaller building footprint.

Two years ago, Grove Parish Council spoke in favour of the development but asked for a left turn only to be required on the exit of the carpark where it would have joined the A338.

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Councillors also said the store would have 'adverse impact as a retail outlet' and Cycling UK Wantage objected to the application because of the impact on cyclists trying to cross the exit to the car park.

Herald Series: Visualisation of Lidl in Grove. Plans by GSC Estates (Wantage) Limited and Lidl Great Britain Limited

Grove Parish Council, although in support of having a Lidl, still has the same reservations about the plans for the budget supermarket.

The parish council said: "Traffic leaving the proposed store should be made to turn left only out of the site and onto the A338.

"Traffic entering and exiting the site must give way to cyclists and pedestrians using the dual use foot/cycle path and the dual use foot/cycle must continue in a straight line and not zigzag as drawn in the plans."

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Michael Rowe, director of Rowes Newsmarket Costcutters in Wantage, is also in objection to the plans over fears the supermarket will cause smaller shops, such as post offices and newsagents to close.

The consultation period for the plans is set to end on March 16, with a target decision date of April 6.

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