A SUPERMARKET giant is to open a new store in Southampton creating 35 new jobs.

Civic chiefs have approved plans for a new Lidl on land off Brownhill Way.

The store will have 1,352 sq.m of sales area and will be accessed from  Frogmore Lane via a new road.

The existing junction between  Frogmore Lane and Brownhill Way is also set to be improved to accommodate more traffic.  

It comes as local residents raised concerns over the impact the new store would have on traffic.

Speaking at the meeting of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel on Tuesday, resident Samuel Judd said: “I don’t object in principle to this Lidl store but I feel the highway has to be improved. There’s a bottleneck of traffic on Brownhill Way for two hours every evening.”

Sally Spicer, councillor for Redbridge ward, added: “The majority of residents are in support of it but everybody is concerned about extra traffic so if we sort that out everybody will be happy.”

Officers said to be satisfied that the improvements on Brownhill Way will help accommodate the new store.

James Mitchell, regional head of property for Lidl, told members the proposals show the company’s commitment to Southampton.

He said Lidl has worked closely with the city council to provide measures to address traffic.

A total of 130 parking spaces will also be provided at the site.

The store in Brownhill Way will be Lidl’s sixth store in the city.

The company currently has stores in Southampton’s High Street, as well as in Shirley, Thornhill, and Woolston and has recently been granted permission to open another store at the former H.A Fox Jaguar and Hunters Land Rover site at the junction of The Avenue and Banister Road. 

Earlier this month the firm announced further plans to expand across the Solent area with new stores in  Winchester, Romsey, Hedge End, Chandler’s Ford and Lymington.