Supermarket chain Lidl has been given the go-ahead for a major expansion of its Aberystwyth store by taking over the neighbouring Iceland shop.

The plans, which were approved by Ceredigion County Council planners under delegated powers last month, will see Lidl expand into the Iceland store on the Rheidol Retail Park, almost doubling the size of the store to 1,300 square metres.

It will see new extensions to the front and rear, with work also being carried out on the current car park.

Lidl said that new jobs would be created as part of the scheme.

Lidl owns the whole of the Rheidol Retail Park after agreeing an £8m deal for the freehold at the beginning of this year.

The current Argos store would remain in place as part of the proposed Lidl development, which would also see front and rear extensions to house the new store, with a new loading bay and elevational changes.

Iceland has previously confirmed to the Cambrian News that they are looking at alternative premises in Aberystwyth, so they can relocate.

It is understood Iceland’s lease runs until 2021.

Ceredigion council planners found: “There is no objection to the proposal from a policy perspective, including in relation to the works which are mainly minimal to the front and rear of the property which will not impact the character of the building or the immediate area from an amenity perspective.”

A spokesperson for Lidl said: “With more customers than ever before, our existing store is no longer able to meet the rightfully high expectations of local customers, or accommodate the full range of Lidl goods.

“As a result, it is necessary to extend the store and by doing so, we anticipate creating a number of new jobs.”

Aberystwyth Town Council did not object to the move, but “insisted” that trees outlined in the original planning permission should be planted in the car park area to “offset” the development.