The development of a new Aldi store in Accrington is still going ahead, the company has confirmed.

Planning approval for a new multi-million-pound supermarket in Hyndburn Road to replace the smaller ‘out of date’ branch in Argyle Street was granted last year.

However, more than a year on, work has yet to start at the site. Applicants usually have three years to begin work on a project once planning permission is granted.

Aldi has now confirmed work is still going ahead to develop the new store and said it is excited about the project.

READ MORE: New Aldi and jobs set for Burnley town centre gateway site

An Aldi spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to have received planning permission to bring an Aldi store to Accrington.

“We hope to begin preliminary site preparations in the coming months and will keep the community updated on developments.”

The vacant 1.5-acre former housing site between Steiner Street, Portland Street and Fredrick Street is just 150 yards from the town's Asda store.

It is also a few hundred yards from a large Lidl store and close to the Tesco Extra store in Eagle Street. Both Lidl and Asda objected to the plans.

At the time of the approval last September, it was said the development would cost £5 million and take 18 months to build.

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Cllr Abdul Khan, from the Accrington Central ward, said the site had been an “eyesore” since the houses there were demolished in 2010.

The area had become a magnet for fly-tipping, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour, he added.

He continued: "I believe by supporting this Aldi supermarket development into a larger purpose-built building, we will be ensuring to deliver a bustling, vibrant economic hub that will deter criminal activities, provide a safe environment and create much-needed job opportunities and economic benefit for our communities to thrive upon.”