A NEW SUPERMARKET is on the way to Worcester - with Aldi securing permission to revamp the old Homebase store in Bath Road.

The budget retailer today secured the green light from Worcester City Council's planning committee to transform the site into a multi-million pound foodstore, creating 40 jobs.

Your Worcester News can also reveal how the deal will also see bargain retailer B&M open up an outlet there too, with the existing Homebase structure being part-demolished and then extended.

It was voted through 7-1 this afternoon despite 26 written letters of objection and the angry protests of the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Roger Knight, due to concerns over the loading bay.

Aldi wants to place a covered loading facility a few feet from homes, which would be sunk into the ground on the northern stretch of the land.

Both nearby householders and Councillor Knight wanted the bay on the southern strip near the river, leading to fierce disagreements.

The city's first citizen accused Aldi's planning agent Rob Barnes of talking "tosh" and "a load of waffle", also saying he had "failed to do his job properly", but Mr Barnes called his criticism "frankly ridiculous" and repeatedly pointed to logistical problems with changing the unloading plans.

Most of the committee members were won over by Mr Barnes' argument, with a three-metre high acoustic barrier due to be erected around the loading bay to shield any noise from the three daily deliveries.

Councillor Knight said: "We want you to be here in harmony with residents, I'm sure it's not beyond the wit of man to consider how you can keep the unloading areas to the south of the site and away from the north.

"St Peter's will welcome you with open arms, but you've got to listen to the residents."

But Mr Barnes said the south section was too sloping and narrow before Councillor Jo Hodges said: "It always amazes me when a group of amateurs start telling experts they are wrong.

"Our planning officers consider this acceptable, we've heard from the applicant too, I think in time these fears will be unfounded."

Councillor Pat Agar said there had been "a lot of emotion in the room", adding: "One issue which may be in some of our minds might be that lady killed by a reversing lorry (Sylvia Russell, who died outside Argos in The Shambles last year).

"I know this is different but I'd ask us to reflect on that when considering this."

Councillor Robert Rowden voted against it, while Alan Feeney and Allah Ditta abstained and the other seven all backed it.

The new Aldi and adjoining B&M will open in early 2017, with the supermarket open 6.30am-11pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sundays.

It will be the German foodstore's third outlet by then, with one open now in Pheasant Street and a second site opening next spring at the old PC World unit in Tybridge Street, St John's.

The old Homebase closed in May 2014, and during the debate Councillor Knight called its present appearance "tatty", saying it was desperately due new investment.

The opening will create a supermarket war in St Peter's, with the long-established Tesco superstore a two or three minute drive away.