TWO giants of the cut-price supermarket world are going head-to-head in their fight to open up shop in Norton.

Lidl, which has previously had an application to build a store in Pickering turned down by Ryedale District Council, wants to build a 1,038 square metre building and car park on the site of the Robsons car showroom in Welham Road, Norton. More than 50 residents have written to Ryedale District Council in support of its plans. But last week Aldi announced that it has also submitted a planning application to Ryedale District Council, to build a store, day nursery and health facility on the former Dewhurst site in Welham Road.

Case officer Paul Simpson said that the Lidl plan was to demolish all the existing building on that site, which includes a car wash, garage showroom, workshop and builder’s yard, and in their place, to build a large supermarket, with a garage showroom attached.

However, he stressed that these were just proposals, and that Lidl might still be in negotiations with Robsons.

In the 43 letters of support to the council, residents cite being able to walk to a supermarket, rather than driving to Malton, as one of the main benefits if the store opens.

Jill Gibson, a retired Norton resident, said the store would be a useful amenity.

Another resident said that the current garage and workshop site was ‘a complete eyesore’, and sent out the wrong message to visitors.

Thirteen members of St Peter’s Church had signed a letter of support.

The Rev Paul Ankers wrote that because the demographic of Norton had changed in recent years, with more young families moving to the town because houses in the villages were too expensive, he felt they would welcome the chance to shop in a cheaper supermarket, as well as any job opportunities the store might bring.

Norton Town Council has also voted to support the plans. Just three residents have written to object including Tim Pitt, a racehorse trainer from Norton, who said the traffic caused by the store would make it unsafe to keep his business in its current location.

North Yorkshire County Council has said it is concerned that the building would cause traffic congestion at the level crossing and at the mini-roundabout.

A spokesman for Aldi said that if its plans go ahead, 30 new jobs will be created. Development director Simon Plumb said he felt that the Aldi proposals offered more for the community than those of Lidl.

Lidl has also applied to Ryedale District Council several times to build a supermarket in Pickering.

The most recent application was turned down last month, because councillors felt that the store would create traffic congestion at one of the town’s busiest junctions, but Lidl say its intends to submit a revised plan for the store.

A spokesman for Lidl said that if it was successful in both its planning applications, it would open stores in both towns.