OKEHAMPTON'S third supermarket will be opening three weeks today (February 22) — by which time it will have full planning consent.

West Devon Borough Council's planning department confirmed this week the Environment Agency was happy with the scheme put forward by the German supermarket company.

Despite planning permission being granted by West Devon Borough Council in September last year for the new store next to the river in School Way, it was subject to a number of conditions including addressing the concerns of the Environment Agency.

Local people were furious over the commencement of construction work when these concerns had not been met, but the borough council, conscious of an imminent agreement between the supermarket and river authority, chose not to issue a stop notice.

Planning officer Chris Watson said this week he understood people's concerns about Lidl 'pushing ahead' without planning permission but the indication always was that the council was working towards an acceptable scheme and that had been borne out.

The new acceptable scheme by Lidl had sought to improve the habitat for wildlife and improve the views of the river for pedestrians to enjoy, he said.

The store will bring the town's tally of supermarkets to three and follows on the heels of the Waitrose development which opened last March.

Ten to 15 new jobs will be created for local people and the site will include a car park with approximately 80 to 100 spaces for Lidl customers.

Lidl has 4,000 stores throughout the major European countries including Germany, France, Italy and Spain and has succeeded by its 'no frills' approach and low prices.

A spokesperson for the company said this week the site in Okehampton was chosen to complement and enhance existing shopping for the local community.

The store will be surrounded by a gravel path and Lidl has contributed to a new footbridge over the river which will bypass the Ockment Centre and lead to North Street.

Following completion of the store the picnic area included in Lidl's plans will be handed over to West Devon Borough Council and maintained as a seating and amenity area.

Other agreements that have been reached between the local authority and Lidl are delivery times for lorries which will be between 7.30am and 7.30pm from Monday to Saturday and 10am and 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.