DISCOUNT supermarket Lidl has been given the green light to build an outlet in Minehead – despite objections from rival retailer Co-Op and the threat of a judicial review by a local landowner.

West Somerset Council's planning committee has approved an application from the company, which has a reputation for its 'no frills' stores and products, to develop the former Aquasplash site in Seaward Way, which was formerly owned by the authority.

The 1,407-square metre development is expected to have an annual turnover of around £3.69 million, the majority of which will be drawn from Minehead's existing Tesco and Morrisons supermarkets nearby.

But it was the Co-Op, which has a town centre branch and another outlet in Alcombe, which verbally objected to the proposal when it went before councillors last Thursday.

Speaking on behalf of the Co-Operative Group, Jonathan Rainey said the development would have a significant adverse impact as it would focus convenience goods shopping out of town.

Mr Rainey said between 2001 and 2014, the number of convenience retailers in Minehead had fallen from 16 to 10.

"We are saying enough is enough for out of town development and this application should be refused."

The planning committee had already delayed its decision by a month following an 11th hour intervention in April by Williton businessman and potential rival David Gliddon.

Councillors were warned the authority could face a judicial review because an independent retail assessment commissioned by the council had not been available to the public, including Mr Gliddon who has drawn up plans for a supermarket and retail development on land in Bank Street, Williton.

But the threat of a judicial review came from Minehead businessman Derek Merson who maintained Lidl had failed to demonstrate compliance with the sequential test for suitable alternative sites within the town.

In a letter to the council, solicitors Maitland Walker contended that the town centre Metropole Garage site, owned by Mr Merson and dismissed by Lidl and the independent retail assessment as too small, had not been thoroughly assessed.

They said the National Planning Policy Framework confirmed that applicants should be flexible on issues such as format and scale and that if a site was of sufficient size to address their needs, it should not be ignored because they wanted to build a much bigger store.

They also said using the Metropole Garage site would mean Lidl would not need the planned 100-space parking area as it was close to public parking facilities and would also attract a larger number of customers on foot.

However, planning officer John Burton told last Thursday's meeting there was nothing in the solicitors' letter that raised any new issue not covered in his report.

He said the sequential test had been carried out and the conclusion reached that there were no suitable retail sites in the town centre.

The independent retail assessment had concluded that the impact on the town centre would be minimal and the proposed store would not have a significant adverse effect, neither pulling trade out of the town or forcing shops to close.

Oliver McGuinness, regional property director for Lidl, said he was in a unique position as both an employee of the company but also as a former West Somerset resident.

He said he had never known such positive support for a proposed new store, with at least 3,200 letters in favour having been received.

Mr McGuinness maintained the development would give local people more disposable income and bring more people to the town, with the 'spin off' benefit of increased linked shopping trips.

"I have worked for Lidl for the past 12 years and I have never known a Lidl store to impact on a town centre," he said.

"This development will complete the retail offering for the residents of West Somerset."

Minehead resident Christine Lorimer told the committee she supported the proposal for a number of reasons, including the fact that it would cut the 50-mile round trip to Taunton or Bridgwater that many people currently undertook to shop at a Lidl store.

She said Lidl offered a wide range, if sometimes random, selection of grocery items and the quality of their food was without question.

"Lidl will have no impact on shops in the town centre but it will bring a 21st century shopping opportunity within reach of Minehead residents."

Cllr Chris Morgan said what Lidl provided was exceptionally good and an alternative to what Tesco, Morrisons or any other supermarket offered.

Cllr Keith Turner told the meeting the site was currently an eyesore and this was an opportunity to improve it.

And he said the "vast" amount of support for the proposal was refreshing.

Meanwhile, Cllr Sue Goss said she believed the development would bring absentee shoppers back to Minehead.

"I think it would be a win-win situation."