SUPPORTERS of a bid to bring cut price supermarket chain Lidl to Wisbech have won the day. Their petition supporting the store s bid helped convince Fenland District Council s planning committee to allow the development north of Iolanda on Cromwell Road.

SUPPORTERS of a bid to bring cut price supermarket chain Lidl to Wisbech have won the day.

Their petition supporting the store's bid helped convince Fenland District Council's planning committee to allow the development north of Iolanda on Cromwell Road.

The decision, taken on Wednesday, ends months of wrangling which included comments from a former town mayor, Councillor Carol Cox, who described Lidl stores as "cheap and nasty".

Her comments unleashed a storm of protest, many of them backing Lidl, and led to the company holding a public exhibition in the town.

Matthew King, acquisition manager at Lidl, said the company had been looking to move to a site in Wisbech for the last decade.

The company has been forced to put their plans on hold while the council ironed out access issues and these will now be resolved through negotiation with Cambridgeshire County Council.

Andrew Brand, a council planning officer, told the committee: "It is clear from the petition submitted and exerpts from the local papers, that this proposal has raised some important local views.

"In addition the agent has stated that Lidl will provide tourist facilities which will advocate links to the town centre and its facilities. This is an admirable suggestion."

Officers concede the application will have an impact upon a nearby house, 8 Lickings Drove, and a landscaping scheme has been agreed.

"These principles include additional depth to the landscaping along Cromwell Road and the use of acoustic fencing with landscaping around 8 Lickings Drove," said Mr Brand.

Wisbech Town Council had opposed the Lidl store "on the grounds that it will take more trade away from the town centre" It also expressed concern over traffic issues.