PLANS for a new Aldi in Southampton have been given the green light.

The German grocery chain is set to create 40 new jobs in the city as its plans to open a new store at the former Eastpoint Centre site in Bursledon Road have been approved.

The news comes after earlier this year civic chiefs refused proposals for  an Aldi supermarket and drive-thru coffee shop  at the site.

At the time planning bosses rejected the plans for their  “poor layout, unsafe access, and insufficient landscaping”.

But now the proposals, which do not include a drive-thru coffee shop, have been given the go-ahead.

According to an official document, the new plans include a  new exit-only access in a  bid to address previous concerns over right turn traffic.

The site will have 134 parking spaces and the number of replacement trees has increased from 23 to 30.

Some local residents raised concerns over the impact the supermarket would have on traffic and nearby properties.

But planning bosses said the previous concerns in relation to site access, loss of open space, poor layout and landscaping have now been addressed.

The plans were approved by the Planning and Rights of Way Panel at Southampton City Council.

A spokesperson for Aldi said the company hopes to open the new store as soon as possible.

In a statement Aldi said: “The store, which received significant support from local residents, will provide a much improved shopping choice.

"The new store represents a significant investment by Aldi, which will result in beneficial economic development for the area, and shows Aldi’s continued commitment to Southampton.”

The store in Bursledon Road will be the second Aldi in the city.

Terry Streets, councillor for Bitterne ward, said he is happy to see that Aldi has listened to the concerns previously raised.

“I did support the application and I am happy to see it has gone through.

"That site has been like that for years. It is good to see that it’s going to be regenerated," he said.

As previously reported, 21 three-bedroom homes and 107 flats could also be built at the former Eastpoint Centre site. 

The site was once touted as the future home of Itchen College, but the proposals were scrapped.

Part of the site was later developed into the new East Point Community Centre, which opened in 2011.

But the £10 million building was shut in 2014 after it was put into administration. It was then saved, and renamed High Point Centre in 2014.