A SUPERMARKET giant has called for Aldi’s plans to build it’s first ever shop in Braintree to be rejected - despite not having a store of its own in the town.

Asda has objected to the proposals for land off Millennium Way due to fears it will lead to a sharp increase in traffic in the area.

The firm does not have a presence in Braintree and its nearest store to the town is nearly eight miles down the road in Witham.

But the supermarket has had a survey carried out by TPS Transport Consultants to demonstrate Aldi has not provided enough information on the impact its new store will have on the surrounding roads.

TPS has put a report together highlighting key areas of concern, including nearby roundabouts in Charters Way and at Fowlers Farm.

The report suggests the two roundabouts are already at “over-capacity” and would be sensitive to any further developments in the area.

It is also claimed Aldi is underestimating how many new trips its store would generate.

The report adds: “We would suggest that insufficient information has been submitted to allow the council to arrive at a sound decision on the impact of the development proposals at this stage and, therefore, the application should be refused on highway grounds.”

Highways England has previously asked for Aldi to submit more information on the impact of traffic and urged Braintree Council not to rule on the scheme until more details have been made available.

But road bosses have now given the green light to the proposals on the basis Aldi will provide further details about how it will upgrade the A120, which runs underneath Millennium Way.

New slip roads are due to be installed along the A120 which would connect the road with Millennium Way.

But Aldi will be expected to help fund further improvements to increase vehicle capacity.

Bosses say the new shop would be accompanied by a car park offering 155 spaces.

They also say the store will create 50 new jobs.

Aldi’s previous bid to construct a shop at the Skyline 120 Business Park in Great Notley was rejected by Braintree Council in 2016 despite widespread public support.

A total of 64 residents had sent letters supporting the application to the council, however officers said they did not want the shop built on land allocated for employment only.