A major supermarket chain has said it "remains committed" to opening a new store in Brentwood - more than a year after plans were approved.

Lidl won planning permission to build a new supermarket in Brentwood town centre in February 2023, after a successful appeal of Brentwood Council's initial refusal.

More than 18 months later, a spokesperson for the chain has reassured residents that they are still "committed to delivering a new store" in Wates Way, off Ongar Road.

They added that Lidl's planning team have been "working diligently through planning conditions", but that there are no other updates at this stage.

READ MORE: Lidl reveals the east London places it aims to open shops

It comes after Councillor Martin Cuthbert, who represents the Warley ward, raised concerns about the "poor range of supermarket options" for residents in the borough at a council meeting on October 9.

In response, chair of the scrutiny, performance and standards committee Councillor Dominic Naylor said that he had conducted a review into supermarket provision, writing a letter to seven major supermarket chains.

Lidl was one of these chains, and at the time of the council meeting, no responses had been received.

Councillor Naylor added that the committee understands Lidl "are currently seeking a development partner to take the site forward".

The committee's review into supermarket provision in Brentwood is still ongoing.

The Lidl plans also included 46 residential flats and a three-stage signalised junction outside the store for highway safety reasons.

The proposals were initially refused by Brentwood Council, on the advice of Essex County Council, due to worries that they would lead to an  "unacceptable impact on the free flow of traffic along Ongar Road and Wilsons Corner".