THE north of Salisbury is set to get its first supermarket – despite concerns over the safety of its entrance.

German discount giant Aldi is hoping its new store on London Road will also help transform the park and ride by providing an additional 48 parking spaces.

At a meeting of the strategic planning committee in Trowbridge a representative from Aldi described the site, which was formerly occupied by Autechnique, as “crying out for development” and that it was something “only Aldi could provide”.

It is one of three supermarkets that are currently being considered by planners with decisions on the Asda site at Bishopdown roundabout and Sainsbury’s on Southampton Road expected to be made later this year.

The supermarket also shot down proposals that were made by the city council to build an entrance at the rear of the park and ride, saying the idea was not “commercially acceptable”.

The entrance to the site on London Road will now be widened, with a righthand turn lane added to pre¬ vent congestion. A cycle path will also link Laverstock to the park and ride.

But Colin Froude from the city council says a different entrance is the only way to prevent accidents.

He said: “The city council is not against the idea of building an Aldi on that site, we are just concerned about access off London Road.

“It is going to be an accident blackspot as people will be coming over the brow of the hill at 40mph and will not see cars that have pulled out of Aldi and are accelerating away. We proposed that the entrance should have been at the Parkwood roundabout and go into the back of the park and ride site but this was rejected out of hand by officers who have no local knowledge.”

At the meeting division member Cllr Bill Moss also tried to make an amendment to the project, suggesting creating a left turn only exit – but fellow councillors refused to second the amendment.

“The exit from the site causes me concern,” he said. “I think we should impose a left turn only and people can drive to the roundabout at St Mark’s to turn around.”

The plan was passed unanimously and will now go to the secretary of state for final approval.

After the meeting a spokesperson for Aldi said: "We are delighted that members of Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee chose to approve our plans for the new store on London Road.

"We are very excited about bringing our range of award-winning products to the community in Salisbury and are hoping to get started on site as soon as possible.

"The next stage in the process is for initial works to begin on site and, if all goes ahead as planned, we are hoping to open the store in the summer of 2016. New employment opportunities will be advertised closer to the time, both locally and also via our recruitment website – aldirecruitment.co.uk.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the residents who took the time to write to the Council and show their support for the plans.

"We will ensure the community is kept up-to-date as the construction progresses, but should residents have any questions in the meantime they should call the project’s freephone information line on 0800 298 7040.”

Salisbury Journal:

An artist's impression of the new store