PLANS for a new Lidl supermarket in Alloa have been given the go-ahead.

At a meeting of Clackmannanshire Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday (30 October) councillors voted in favour of the proposals which will see the store built on Hilton Road, near Alloa Athletic Football Club, on a site owned by Rubicon Land.

It will replace the existing outlet at Candleriggs — which was one of the first Lidl supermarkets in Scotland and was established around 17 years ago — and under the plans Rubicon will take ownership of the old store.

Colin Taylor, a director of Rubicon Land, welcomed the approval and said: “We are delighted to have received the unanimous support of the planning committee for our redevelopment plans at Clackmannan Rd. We have already started work to now obtain building warrant and licence and would hope to make a site start in early spring next year. Lidl hope to open for trade before Christmas 2015.

“This makes way for us to finalise discussions with our proposed occupier for the existing Lidl Store on Candleriggs, which will bring with it much needed new jobs and investment. This is a win-win for Alloa.” Responding to the news a Lidl spokesperson said: “We are currently undertaking comprehensive site studies and hope to be in a position to start on site late spring 2015 with a view to opening the new store in autumn 2015.” Included within the application were plans for a 67 space customer car park, the provision of a toucan pedestrian crossing on Clackmannan Road at the existing island crossing in front of KFC, and a car park on the vacant land on the West Side of Hilton Road which could accommodate 35 off-street parking spaces for use by Alloa Athletic, with ownership to be transferred over to the club.