Aldi has submitted a planning application for a new food store on Havant Road in Horndean, aiming to enhance shopping options for local residents.

The proposed store would provide a closer Aldi location for shoppers in Horndean and the surrounding area, cutting down the need for residents to travel to stores further afield.

The project represents an investment of £7 million into the local economy, which Aldi says would have a positive impact on the wider East Hampshire region.

The company said the store would employ up to 40 full-time staff when opened.

There will also be 100 car parking spaces, including accessible and parent and child spaces, as well as four electric vehicle charging points, with the option to add more in the future.

Additional employment is expected to be generated during the construction phase, and further opportunities will be created through Aldi's supply chain.

The development will also include landscaping and planting to improve the appearance of the site and encourage biodiversity.

The planning application follows a public consultation held in November, which saw 176 responses, with 62 percent of respondents expressing support for the proposed store.

Matthias Daly, Aldi real estate director, said: “We are very pleased to have submitted the planning application for a new Aldi store in Horndean.

“During our consultation in November we received 176 responses, with 62 percent of respondents feeling that a new Aldi store would benefit the local area.

“We are delighted with the support shown so far and are committed to continued engagement with the local community and the council.”

East Hampshire District Council will now carry out its own consultation on the plans, before making a decision on whether to grant planning permission.

Aldi is Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket with more than 1,050 stores and more than 45,000 employees.