CONTENTIOUS plans for a new Aldi supermarket on a Newport housing estate have been thrown out.

Newport City Council's Planning committee voted unanimously today, Wednesday, to refuse the plans by the German supermarket chain to open a new branch on the Mon Bank Estate.

The proposal had been met with widespread opposition, with a petition opposing the application signed by 221 people, and 62 individual objects made against it - including by rivals Tesco and Lidl, which both have branches in the immediate area.

And, speaking during today's meeting, council planning officer Gail Parkhouse said: “The benefits do not outweigh the negatives.”

Residents in the area expressed concerns about the possible increase in traffic and noise in a largely residential area.

Michelle Norton, a resident, said: “I strongly oppose this development and will continue to do so to protect the health and safety of residents.”

Planning officers recommended the application be refused by councillors because of the failure to demonstrate a need for a large supermarket at the site.

But Robert Jones, property director for Aldi in South Wales, said the new Aldi would have been “healthy competition” for other supermarkets in the area.

And Cllr William Routley, who represents Langstone, said: “I note the objections from Lidl and Tesco, but I see these objections as merely attempting to protect their own brands.”

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Cllr Yvonne Forsey, who represents Rogerstone, said: “Residents and officers are in agreement, therefore I am in agreement with them.”

Prior to the decision, Mr Jones urged the councillors to go against officer recommendations and approve the application.

Mr Jones said that “opportunity and investment in local jobs will be lost” if the application is refused.

Officers also said the new store would have had a detrimental on the city centre.

Jason Jordan, ward councillor for Bettws, questioned: “How will city centre trading be affected if there is no city centre trading at the moment anyway?”

Ms Parkhouse explained that because the city centre is already vulnerable, small impacts will be felt.

The new supermarket was set to be built on Abberley Hall Road – as part of the Mon Bank development.

The new store would have been the third Aldi in Newport and would have brought 40 new jobs to the area.