CLITHEROE residents are being asked for their views on plans for a new supermarket in the town.

Aldi, which is developing the project alongside Rawdon Properties, is considering building a 11,000 sq ft store on the old Barker’s Nursery site in Whalley Road. The plans also include 95 parking spaces and Aldi said the store would create up to 50 new jobs for local residents.

The town already has four supermarkets – Tesco in Duck Street; Sainsbury’s, Moor Lane; Lidl, Shawbridge Street; and Booths, Station Road.

Residents have been invited to a consultation meeting tomorrow at the St Mary’s Centre, Church Street, from 1.30pm to 7pm to voice their opinions.

Coun Sue Knox, who represents the town said: “The old nursery has been closed since 2002 and nothing has been done with the land since.

“There have been a few planning applications over the years, one for flats and another for houses, but nothing has ever come of them. A new supermarket would meet a need in the town because of the high number of houses that will be built in Clitheroe over the next few years.”

Clitheroe resident Bill Honeywell said: “The population of the town is set to expand in the coming years so a new superstore might well meet a need in Clitheroe.”

Ken Geddis, who has lived in Clitheroe for 40 years, said: “It will create jobs for local people which is always a good thing and it will meet a need with all the new houses that are going to be built. I’m glad that this wasted land could well be put to some good use after so long.” But resident Joanne Hancox said: “I cannot believe there are plans for another supermarket in Clitheroe. That's four within one mile of each other. We need more car parks not shops.”

Richard Wilshaw, of How Planning, which is representing Aldi, said: “If the public meeting goes well then we will look to submit the application as soon as possible.

“We will listen to everyone’s views and come up with a plan that is suitable for the town.”