A developer is set to appeal after plans were turned down for a new Aldi in Witham.

The store had hoped to open a 990sq metre store in Maltings Lane, which would have created about 20 jobs. Last Monday the application for the site was blocked due to its design, which council development manager Tessa Lambert said was inappropriate for the site and not in keeping with its surroundings. No objections were made against the application.

A Braintree Council spokesman said the policy of protecting the town centre did not apply because the number of new homes on the Maltings Lane estate (213) meant there was a need for a food store within the masterplan for the area.

Developer Churchmanor Estates had submitted a reserve matters application for the Aldi store, which outlined the finer details of the store.

Director Martin Sylvester said: “It is our intention to appeal this planning decision and we are reviewing other options.The standard Aldi design has been approved by a number of local authorities and I understand it is the Braintree Council planning officer’s objection to the design of the front elevation of the standard Aldi building design which has led to the refusal.”

Mr Sylvester hopes to meet the council’s chief executive to discuss the matter further.