CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new supermarket in Nailsea have been submitted to North Somerset Council.

Proposals to build a Lidl on Crown Glass car park sparked outrage in September as people feared businesses would suffer due to a loss of parking spaces.

The store’s plans would have meant a loss of 101 prime spaces and residents circulated a petition to try to call a halt to the new store.

Bosses from Lidl held a public open day in September and have now come back with revised plans for the store, which would mean the loss of 50 spaces instead.

In a letter sent out to residents, Lidl’s property director James Mitchell said: “It was evident from the (open) day that while people were enthusiastic about Lidl coming to Nailsea, a major concern of local residents was the loss of 101 car parking spaces from Crown Glass car park.

“In light of this public concern, Lidl has since approached the land owners of Crown Glass Shopping Centre and car park and secured some additional land - namely the former petrol filling station.

“In addition, we have reduced our internal sales area by incorporating the bakery within the store enabling further car parking to be accommodated on site.

“We would like to reiterate that we are willing to look at any other reasonable alternative measures to further mitigate the loss of car parking at Crown Glass.”

The store will now be 1,064 sqm with 147 car parking spaces rather than 1,178 sqm with 96 spaces.

Nailsea Town Council has been informed of the proposal but has not yet met to discuss how it will affect the town.

A planning application was submitted to North Somerset Council on Friday and full details of the proposal will be published at www.lidlnailsea.co.uk once the application has been processed.

People can comment on the plans by writing to North Somerset Council or by visiting the authority’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk