The German chain Lidl has announced plans for another store off the Thanet Way.

It has revealed that it intends to apply for permission to build one just four miles away off the Greenhill roundabout.

It has not yet formally submitted a planning application but has invited local residents to comment on the proposals.

Already fears have been raised about the impact on traffic.

If allowed, the store will be on a site to the west of the busy roundabout between the Old Thanet Way and the railway line near the recycling centre.

The firm says the store would create 40 jobs and sock a "limited range of core products" that would complemented rather than compete with nearby retailers.

There will be 125 parking spaces next to the single-storey glass fronted building.

It says it will be carrying out a traffic assessment on the potential impact on the local road network. The group will be sending leaflets to 20,000 local households.

The chain is renowned for is no-frills approach and rock bottom prices that have forced the bigger chains to introduce cheaper ranges.

Greenhill councillor Geoff Wimble says he would like to see a new branch of the supermarket, but believes the proposed location on farmland to the west of the roundabout is wrong.

“I’m all for the employment opportunities a store would bring, but by the roundabout would cause a lot of inconvenience,” he said.

“There are already massive queues on the road and this would only make things worse.
“We are trying to persuade the firm consider other brownfield sites in the town.”

A public consultation by consultants acting for Lidl is to be held at St Peter’s Church in Greenhill from 8am to 8pm on Thursday, October 5.