Proposals to build a new Aldi supermarket across the road from an Asda and close to existing Lidl and Tesco retail outlets look set for approval.

Councillors have been recommended to grant planning permission for the new store in Hyndburn Road, Accrington, to replace the German firm's smaller 'out of date' branch in the town's Argyle Street.

The vacant and fly-tipping plagued 1.5 acre site between Steiner Street, Portland Street and Fredrick Street is just 150 yards from the town's Asda supermarket, a chain owned by Blackburn's billionaire Issa brothers.

It is also a few hundred yards from a large Lidl store - Aldi's main cut-price supermarket competitor, while Tesco has operated an large 'Extra' store in nearby Eagle Street since 2010.

Hyndburn Council's planning committee on Wednesday has been recommended to approve the scheme despite objections from nearby residents, St Andrew's ward's Cllr Steven Smithson and two of Aldi's competitors.

Aldi submitted 60 letters of support to the council.

An officer's report dismisses the objections and says there are no suitable alternative sites for the modern new store, which will safeguard existing jobs and create between 10 and 15 new ones.

It also concludes the relocation of the Aldi store will not significantly affect Accrington town centre.

Both Lidl and Tesco formally objected to the scheme as potentially damaging to their nearby branches' trade, and suggested an alternative site in Rhyddings Street, Oswaldtwistle.

Asda did not submit an objection.

The residents' complaints focus on the need to locate shops in town centres, that there is a 'perfectly good site in Oswaldtwistle in need of regeneration', and the land had been previously allocated for housing.

The planning officer's report says: "Currently, the site is significantly overgrown with vegetation, and there is clear evidence of fly-tipping.

"Planning permission is sought for the erection of a foodstore operated by Aldi and a new access onto Hyndburn Road.

"The proposed building would be of a contemporary design.

"A peripheral centre such as Oswaldtwistle would not appropriately serve the Accrington catchment served by the existing Aldi store.

"Consideration has also been afforded to the existing Aldi at Argyle Street where the aisles are increasingly crowded and the existing car park is heavily constrained.

"Opportunities to redevelop the site have been exhaustively explored in recent years, however the limited area means the site cannot accommodate an expansion.

"In June, the agent representing the owner of the Rhyddings Street site withdrew their objection as it has been sold to a party who intends to develop the site, and it is no longer available on the market.

"There is no sufficient justification for the retention of this unallocated urban brownfield site for housing purpose only.

"The application site is in an important gateway location on Hyndburn Road close to Accrington Town Centre.

"The retail building will be a visual improvement on the existing derelict site."