SUPERMARKET giant Lidl’s plans to open a store in Ammanford look set to receive the green light tomorrow (Thursday).

An application for the outlet to open on the site of the former coal yard on Foundry Road has been recommended for approval by county planners.

And county councillor Hugh Evans has also backed the proposals, which could bring 20 new jobs to the town.

The recommendation for approval comes after retail consultants Nathaniel Litchfield Partnership, who carried out a study on the potential impact the site might have on Ammanford, said it would not harm the town centre.

The company also hosted an open day in the town to show residents their plans for the store and of 184 opinion forms submitted, only one showed no support for the proposals, saying there wasn’t enough choice in Ammanford.

However, planning officer Andrew Francis hit back, saying: “This point of view is considered to be strange as the proposal offers a type of store that Ammanford is lacking in currently.”

Cllr Evans told the Guardian he was hoping the application would get the go-ahead as it would provide another boost to the town.

“I think the prospect of Lidl coming to Ammanford is great news,” he said.

“There’s obviously the jobs boost that the new store will bring and also the fact that it provides more competition for the area.”

The application goes before Carmarthenshire Council planners at a meeting in County Hall, Carmarthen, tomorrow.