PLANS for a new Lidl store have been approved - despite claims the scheme will result in the loss of up to 60 jobs.

Fareham Borough Council has supported an application to build a Lidl branch at Speedfields Retail Park to replace the company's existing supermarket at Newgate Lane.

The application had been opposed by businesses already based on the site.

As reported in the Daily Echo, 14 of the units at Speedfields are due to be demolished to make way for the Lidl building.

But the proposed development, which will create 22 jobs, was approved by six votes to three at a meeting of the council's planning committee.

The chairman, Cllr Nick Walker, said: "The application complied with planning policies and met all our requirements, including the criteria we have to work to. There were no valid planning reasons for turning it down."

Business bosses said they were "disappointed" with the council's decision.

A Lidl spokesman added: "We will continue to work closely with council and the current site owner, Rookery Estates, to address previous concerns raised and ensure that the transition has minimal impact on existing tenants."

Kevin Arrowsmith, of A & S Signs and Graphics, said: "We don't know what the future holds for everyone's business."