A PRICE war could break out in Cirencester after a budget supermarket is set to be built just metres away from one of the town’s biggest stores.

Aldi, famous for its no-thrills approach to shopping, has been granted planning permission to build one of its stores just a stone’s throw away from the large Tesco Extra at Kingsmeadow.

The new supermarket will be built on the site of the former Volkswagen garage on Cricklade Road once the old building has been demolished.

Cirencester’s economy is also set to benefit from Aldi’s arrival in the town as it has been announced that 10 full time jobs and 20 part time positions are to be created.

When plans were originally submitted, Cotswold District Council’s planning team raised concerns that the store will be situated to close to nearby homes in Rose Way.

Addressing the problem, a spokesman for architects Kendall Kingscott Ltd said: “In response the store has been pulled forward to ensure an appropriate distance from the properties is observed.

“The corner of the nearest home is at least 10 metres away and therefore we do not consider that this will have a detrimental effect on residents.”

In addition to the store, permission has also been granted to build a new road linking the new shop with Cricklade Road along with new pathways for pedestrians.

Cllr Jenny Hincks, chairman of Cirencester Town Council’s planning committee, said she was “confused” as to how the store would cope during busy periods with a car park that only has enough space for 77 vehicles.

Although no date has been set for when building work could began, developers have been told that they have work must have started within three years of planning permission being granted.

For more information and to view the plans, visit www.cotswold.gov.uk.