Lidl’s proposals for a new supermarket in Upper High Street in Epsom have been approved by the council.

Plans were informally announced in April 2016, and this marks the final step in the application process, and work can now begin on the multi-million pound development.

The site will comprise a 2,844 square metre store and 30 flats above, with parking for residents and shoppers.

A spokesman for Epsom and Ewell Council said: “The council is really pleased that the brown field site in Upper High Street will come back into use after several years empty, following the closure of a previous retailer.

“The location of the new store, between the upper high street car park and other retail offers, will increase the numbers visiting that part of the town centre, while not impacting negatively on the surrounding infrastructure. The addition of much needed housing in central Epsom is also most welcome.”

The supermarket will have a bakery, a fully glass-fronted façade with sensor-controlled blinds to mitigate heat from the sun and long tills.

Lidl UK’s regional head of property, Chris Young-Wootton, said: “We could not be more delighted to have received planning permission, and look forward to getting started on construction. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their continued support, and very much look forward to opening our doors and offering our fresh, quality, great value products in the not too distant future.”

The German supermarket giant first announced plans after Aldi’s application to open a store in the old Dairy Crest site just metres away was rejected.