ALDI has been given the green light to open a new supermarket at Basildon shopping park, which is being transformed into a mixed-use development featuring new homes, a hotel, and a huge arena. 

The discount supermarket chain is set to take over two former shop units at Basildon's Westgate Shopping Park and also carry out changes to the car park, as well as the exterior of the retail units.

The new supermarket is set to open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. The full plans include a new delivery area, changes to the existing shopfronts, windows and doors, and to the car parking, extending the existing pedestrian area, and a new trolley shelter.

Residents are supportive of the new store planning to open at the shopping park.

Stuart Christies, 51, said: "I think it's a very good idea, I shop at Aldi and can only see this as a good thing for the town and residents.

"I can imagine it will be busy. It will also give Asda competition, as the only supermarket in the town centre. It's good to have big names and companies showing interest in the town. I hope it goes ahead and opens.

"I would hope it can go ahead soon as there shouldn't be too much work needed on the old units. It will also be good for all the new homes in the town centre too." 

Basildon Council agreed its own plans for 97 extra care homes and a 95-room hotel for the shopping park at a meeting on November 26. There will be 79 one-bedroom flats and 18 two-bedroom flats. The council officer explained to the committee that the development is designed to be largely car-free, with a total of 142 cycle parking spaces.

The planning officer's report on the Aldi plans states: "The proposed works enabling the conversion of the two retail units to a supermarket support the regeneration of Basildon Town Centre.

"The development is considered to further the objectives of the national planning policy framework in building the economy and supporting the vitality of town centres. The proposed alterations at the application site are therefore considered to be acceptable in principle.

"The presence of a supermarket will support housing uses in the town centre. Conflicts arising from noise, disturbance and traffic and pedestrian movement at the supermarket, should they arise, can be viewed in the context of an overall town centre character, and can be controlled appropriately under environmental health legislation."

Aldi was contacted for comment.