An Aberystwyth councillor has criticised the move to call in planning permission for a new Aldi store over flooding concerns.

The Cambrian News revealed that the Welsh Government had called in the application, which had been approved by Ceredigion County Council’s development control committee, following an objection by rival supermarket chain Lidl.

The Welsh Government said it has concerns that national flooding policy may not be being met.

However, town councillor Mair Benjamin said she is “furious” about the decision, after the Welsh Government allowed other large-scale developments to take place in the same area - considered to be a flood plain.

Cllr Benjamin said the Tesco and M&S development and a Tai Ceredigion housing development by Aberystwyth Town Football Club had been given the go-ahead without being called in, despite questions she raised over potential flooding issues.

She said: “I raised concerns about building on the flood plain for the football club residential development, and the Tesco and M&S development, and it was waved away.

“How dare they object to Aldi coming when they’ve given permission for other developments on the flood plain? Whenever I said about building on the flood plain, I was ignored.

“How on earth can they object to it when they’ve let other developments happen?

“I’m so furious and so angry."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said they could not comment specifically on the Aldi application, but that call-ins of planning applications are made either by the local planning authority or by request.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now