A RETAIL development including a supermarket, a coffee shop with drive-thru facility and a bakery chain could be coming to the Walworth Business Park.

A planning application to build a Lidl, Greggs and Starbucks drive-thru at the park has been received by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) this week following a public exhibition which showcased the plans in October.

The proposals revealed earlier this year did not feature a Greggs and there is provision for a fourth business on the site.

Property developers Kier Property hopes to build “Colombus Quarter” on plot 73, Colombus Way at the industrial estate, which is currently empty.

This would be the second Lidl and second Greggs in Andover.

Lidl UK’s head of property James Mitchell said a second store would create a further 40 jobs and cater for the east side of the town who do not currently have a discount foodstore.

He said: “The proposal is well placed to serve the residential districts nearby as well as significant new housing in build.

“Lidl currently has no intention to close the town centre store, we believe the two stores will serve different catchments and will be able to trade alongside each other successfully. It would also bring about a significant employment opportunity.”

The supermarket giant has launched an online petition to rally support for the site which currently has 126 signatures.

One person who supports the plan said: “This land and much of the Walworth estate is unproductive. Let’s have some new jobs and services.”

Others welcomed the competition to the Tesco River Way superstore and extra facilities for the east side of town.

The proposed supermarket is planned to be 328 sqm larger than the town centre store and have 48 car parking spaces.

Previous reactions to the plan however had a mixed view.

Andover resident Steven Rowling said: “Why another Lidl? I would probably go there because I live that side of town.

“Starbucks is a good idea as a drive-thru but you have got an independent coffee shop on the estate that could be put out of business, but maybe it is creating good competition.”

The Starbucks drive-thru is planned at 167 sqm, and the two other retail units at 131 sqm.

A Greggs spokesperson confirmed a new store is planned to open on the Walworth Business Park in late February 2018, and that several new jobs will be created which can be applied for on their website.

A previous building control application said a restaurant could be the fourth business on the site.

To view and comment on the plans to go www.testvalley.gov.uk and search using the reference 17/02995/FULLN