A SUPERMARKET chain has unveiled plans for housing on the site of one of its stores.

Low-cost shop Lidl wants to demolish its store in Farleigh Hill, Tovil, and the neighbouring Netto store, under plans submitted to Maidstone council.

If the plans are approved, the three-acre site would be used for a new Lidl store and housing.

But it would also lead to half the jobs on the site being lost, documents submitted to the council reveal.

Netto and Lidl currently employ a total of 13 full-time and 20 part-time staff. If the plan goes ahead that will be reduced to three full-time and nine part-time jobs.

Lidl claims, in a statement submitted to the council, that the proposed store would be "of social and commercial benefit, whilst acting as a catalyst for the future expansion and development of the locality".

It is due to be discussed by Tovil council’s planning committee on Monday, September 17.