A PROPOSAL to build a supermarket, a coffee shop with drive-thru facility and a bakery chain on the Walworth Business Park has been recommended for approval by council planning chiefs.

A planning application to build a foodstore, set to be a Lidl, a drive through coffee shop, to be a Starbucks, a Greggs and another takeaway is set to be heard by Test Valley Borough Council's Northern Area Planning Committee on 29 March.

The plan, for a currently empty plot of land on Columbus Way, has been recommended for approval by council planning officers, subject to conditions.

The report on the plan reads: "The proposed development would be acceptable in terms of its principle, and subject to conditions and financial contributions would be acceptable in respect of character and appearance, the highway network, biodiversity, archaeology, water management, pollution and amenity, and skills and training."

This would be the second Lidl and second Greggs in Andover.

Lidl has previously said the store would create 40 new jobs in the town.

Lidl UK’s head of property James Mitchell has previously said: “The proposal is well placed to serve the residential districts nearby as well as significant new housing in build.

“Lidl currently has no intention to close the town centre store, we believe the two stores will serve different catchments and will be able to trade alongside each other successfully. It would also bring about a significant employment opportunity.”

The plan includes 175 car parking spaces for the four units and a new road would be built to enhance access to the site.

A public exhibition for the proposal was held in October last year by developers Kier Property.

The Northern Area Planning Committee meeting is due to be held from 5.30pm on 29 March at the council's Beech Hurst offices.

Also recommended for approval at the meeting is a plan to build a new crematorium on land at Hatherden Road, to the south of Andover New Street Football Club and Andover Rugby Club.

Also recommended for approval is a plan to construct two agricultural buildings for free range egg production on a 1.8 hectare site of agricultural land east of Andover Road, Redenham.