Lidl has revealed plans for a new supermarket development in Co Antrim.
The German discounter has notified planning authorities of its intention to build a new store next to the Spirit AeroSystems factory at the Monkstown Industrial Estate in Newtownabbey.
The vacant 4.5 acre site on the corner of Monkstown Avenue and Doagh Road sits next to Nortel FC’s pitches, and is around 2.5 miles north of Lidl’s current Newtownabbey store.
Subject to planning approval, the proposal will likely see Lidl relocate its Church Road operation, next to Marks & Spencer, to the new modern build store.
The retailer has continued to progress a store replacement programme across the north.
Craigavon, Dungannon and Bangor were confirmed earlier this year as the next towns to be included in the long-term scheme to replace older stores.
Lidl has now added Newtownabbey to the list, with a proposal of application notice (PAN) submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
The pre-application phase will involve a community consultation with an event scheduled to take place at Monkstown Village Centre on November 4 (4pm to 6pm).
Once the feedback is considered a full planning application is expected to be submitted later this year.
The new plans come just one week after Lidl opened its first ever store in south Belfast.
A total of £7 million was invested in the new Boucher Road outlet next to the Olympia Leisure Centre and Windsor Park.
Lidl currently employ 1,300 across its northern operation, which includes 42 stores.
The grocer is also on site in Carryduff for what will become store number 43 in its expanding network.
Meanwhile, Lidl is currently on site at its Omagh store in a project to expand the car park at the James Street site.
It comes just two years after the supermarket opened in the Co Tyrone town.
Lidl acquired a former veterinary practice next door to the new build store, which has been demolished to enable the extension to its car park.
