A FLINTSHIRE politician says a supermarket planned for the area will be a 'welcome addition'.

Lidl recently submitted formal proposals to demolish the old Co-op store on Connah's Quay High Street, which has stood empty since 2012.

If approved, it would result in the existing Lidl store on Deeside Retail Park in Queensferry relocating to the site.

The company recently carried out a consultation into the plans with residents, community leaders and public bodies ahead of submitting the application to Flintshire Council.

The results, which have now been shared in a report on the local authority’s website, show 94 per cent out of the 69 people who responded were in support of the proposals.

Also throwing his support behind the project is Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant.

He said: "It's great to see Lidl has put positive plans in place to redevelop the derelict High Street store - this will be a welcome addition to Connah's Quay.

"I know local councillors Martin White, Sean Bibby and Dave Evans are working with Lidl to make these plans a reality.

“This is good news for all of us that have been working to regenerate this site. Cllrs like Martin White have worked tirelessly to bring this site back into use and I commend him.”

Cllr Martin White added: "Residents consistently raise the need for a supermarket to open on the site and I have always championed this. I welcome the news Lidl are seeking to open a store and would urge residents to continue to voice their support."

A small number of concerns were raised during the consultation process, including that the proposals would make existing traffic issues on the town’s High Street even worse.

Residents who currently have permits to park at the site have also expressed worries that there will no longer be enough room for their vehicles.

In response, Lidl said the existing entrance to the site would be improved with 84 parking spaces remaining available to permit holders out of a total of 162.

All 15 staff members at the current Queensferry supermarket will move to the replacement store when it opens, with new facilities including a bakery, customer toilets and longer tills.

Extra jobs will also be created as it’s expected 40 workers will be required to run the store in total.

Comments are currently being invited on the plans via the council’s website with a decision expected at a later date.