FEARS about traffic was the main concern aired as residents voiced their opinions over plans to build an Aldi supermarket in Alvaston.
Scores of people attended a public exhibition at Osmaston Park, in Moor Lane, yesterday where they were able to take a closer look at the proposals.
The site is a disused area of land between Coleman Street and Harvey Road which was cleared of industrial buildings in the 1980s and has since remained derelict.
The firm has pledged that the store will be designed to fit in with homes and businesses in the area.
It also intends to introduce up to 30 full-time and part-time job opportunities.
The chain already has two outlets in Derby – in Uttoxeter New Road, close to the Royal Derby Hospital, and in Nottingham Road, Chaddesden.
Sandra Hull, 68, and husband James, 74, of London Road, in Alvaston, said they welcomed the plans.
Mrs Hull said: "We have very little in the way of shops in Alvaston.
"We have lived in the area for more than 40 years and we feel this is needed.
"We already shop at the Aldi store in Chaddesden as well as the one in Mickleover. The food is brilliant and the products are value for money."
Mr Hull added: "It is real quality and everything is value for money there."
Maggie Radford, 57, of Shelton Lock, said she was for the plans but was worried about the impact it may have on traffic in the area.
He said: "My concern is the traffic in Harvey Road and the issue of crossing two lanes of traffic.
"I was involved in a road collision there a couple of months ago at the turning.
"It's horrendous. This needs to be looked into.
"Apart from that, I think it is a good idea."
The firm has said it would be carrying out a transport assessment as part of the planning application.
Councillor Ranjit Banwait, who attended the public exhibition, said: "All of the residents I have spoken to have been supportive of the plans.
"In this location I recognise the benefit of improving the shopping experience for local people, giving them more choice and regenerating land that has been empty.
"However, at the meeting I raised some concerns I have got around the traffic at the junction of Harvey Road and Coleman Street as well as the impact it could have on established businesses that have been there for decades."
A spokesman from Aldi said more than 2,800 feedback cards had been sent to local households.
He said: "We want to bring more choice to the area. The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive."
TESCO MAY PROVIDE COMPETITION:ONCE opened, the Alvaston store may face competition from supermarket giant Tesco, which has plans to build a store in nearby Allenton.
The supermarket retailer recently reaffirmed its idea to build a store on the site off Osmaston Road.
However, work has not yet begun on the 24-hour superstore and petrol station, despite planning permission being granted for the scheme in July 2011.
Earlier this year, the same supermarket retailer pulled out of plans to build a store in Belper after figures revealed an annual sales fall for the first time in 20 years.
Tesco's plans in Belper included moving the football club and building new hockey, tennis and cricket facilities.
The firm was also going to knock down the town's library in Bridge Street, to make way for a relief road, and build a new one in Derwent Street.
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