Plans for a new Lidl store have been approved.

The budget supermarket has been given the green light to open its second branch in Strood near the Medway Valley Leisure Park.

Yesterday, at Medway Council's planning committee, 15 councillors voted in favour for the German retailers latest venture.

The new supermarket will be located on an old landfill site within a chalk pit off Roman Way and Cuxton Road, close to Diggerland.

The plans - which were submitted in July last year - include parking spaces for 117 cars.

Although councillors were in favour of the plans it has only been given permission if several conditions are adhered too.

This includes the painting of a yellow box junction by its proposed entry.

Although Conservative councillor for Cuxton and Halling, Matt Fearn, voted for the supermarket he raised several concerns during the meeting.

He asked if there would be a right turn restriction at the entrance to the proposed store due to the new Lidl possibly causing an "increased risk" of accidents in the area.

However, Dave Harris, head of planning, confirmed that these concerns had been brought to the highways teams attention.

He said: "If it was a left in and out only junction motorists would have to travel back down towards the roundabout and back again.

"The highways team felt like this would cause more issues."

Following this Cllr Gary Hackwell, who represents the Conservatives for Rainham South, suggested a yellow bow junction may be suitable for the area – especially if there were traffic queues coming from the leisure park.

This road layout would keep the junction clear for through-traffic to avoid traffic jams.

Dave Harris agreed with this suggested and said: "We can impose this condition with the approval so Lidl secure that."

Vice-chairman and Conservative councillor for Strood South, Chris Buckwell, felt that the new supermarket would benefit the community.

He said: "Although these plans bring concerns about the amount of traffic that would build in the area I feel that the people who already travel further into Strood would instead use this new supermarket meaning there would be less traffic in the town centre.

"The people of Strood would welcome this alternative location for shopping."

Cllr Simon Curry, who represents Labour and Co-operative parties in Luton and Wayfield agreed.

He said: "The store would serve the nearby housing estates well and is even within walking distance.

"However, buses aren't mentioned in the plans and it would be good to see a bus stop included in Lidl's plans."

Cllr Stephen Hubbard, who represents Labour and Co-operative parties for Strood North, said the new store has been "a long time coming."

He added: "The new Lidl will be a good thing and is required in the area. "

The German retailer opened another store in Gillingham in September last year despite fierce opposition from Asda.

Medway Council originally received seven letters of objection, mainly over the traffic the development could generate.

However, a further 24 welcomed the addition of a new low-budget store to the town, saying it would bring employment to the area and benefit the community.

The supermarket previously said the development would generate 40 new jobs.

For more details about the meeting click here.

The council also received a letter of objection from Aldi - which has a store in Friary Place, Strood - which argued assessments for the plans had not properly been submitted, which was rebuffed by Lidl.