ALDI has vowed it will be bringing a new store to Braintree as plans remain undecided three years after they were submitted.

Plans for the proposed store on land off Millennium Way were submitted to Braintree Council in July 2019.

But since then plans have not progressed. 

Despite this Aldi says it is on track to invest more than £5 million in new and upgraded stores across Essex this year - including the one in Braintree. 

If approved the new Aldi store would be built to the south of the A120 and will be close to the new slip lanes which would be installed to provide direct access between Millennium Way and the A-road.

Chief Executive Officer for Aldi UK and Ireland Giles Hurley said: “We know there are still areas that don’t have a store, or that need more to meet the increased customer demand we’ve witnessed in recent months.

“Our 2022 expansion plans are helping to achieve that.”

The delay in the plans has left members of the community frustrated with the wait.

One resident said: "Please can someone explain why this is taking so long to go through?

"There are so many other towns across the country with an Aldi store, and we still cannot get one built in Braintree."

They added residents were "sick and tired" of a lack of supermarket options. 

Proposals were already handed a major boost with Highways England giving it the all-clear in November 2020, followed by Essex Highways in January 2021.

Fellow supermarkets have objected to the plans.

Despite not having a store in Braintree, Asda objected saying the  car park will not be big enough to serve the new Aldi and could lead to excessive traffic in the area.

However, this was dismissed by Essex Highways. 

Tesco, which has three superstores and an express shop in the area, raised concerns over the proposals and said it would object.

Braintree Council will have the final say on the application.

A council spokesman said: “There is currently a planning application pending for a new Aldi supermarket off Millennium Way in Cressing which can be viewed on our website at www.braintree.gov.uk/pa reference 19/01352/FUL.

“We will determine the application in due course.”