Welsh Government planning inspectors will consider plans for a new supermarket in Aberystwyth after a Christmas deadline was set to hear people’s views.

The plan by budget supermarket Aldi to build a new store on the old Cambrian Garage and Kwik Save site on Park Avenue – a parcel of land the company has owned for nearly a decade – was granted by Ceredigion County Council’s planning committee earlier this year.

It was delayed after the Welsh Government called in the scheme over flooding fears.

The plan was approved despite objections from rival Lidl, which had previously attempted to obtain permission to build a store on the site.

Lidl said it would seek a judicial review into the plans if they were given the go-ahead.

Ceredigion council confirmed in October that the plans have been referred to the Welsh Government “as the application may conflict with national policy in respect of flooding”.

Welsh Government inspectors set a deadline of 25 December for representations as it prepares to rule on whether the plan for the supermarket complies with flooding regulation.

The Welsh Government said the application “is potentially contrary to national policy”.

“Questions are raised concerning whether sufficient regard has been given to the potential effect of flooding on neighbouring areas,” Welsh Government documents said.

Inspectors will report to ministers sometime in the new year.

Recruitment activities for the 40 jobs set to be created at the store gave an initial opening date of November, but work at the site is yet to start.