Lidl has submitted official plans to build a supermarket in Cockermouth.

It has applied to Allerdale council for permission to demolish Fairfield Garage, Travis Perkins and West Cumberland Farmers and build a replacement pet and equestrian store and food store.

Traffic access to the proposed development will be taken from Station Road, off the existing mini roundabout, with delivery access from New Road to the north east of the site. 

Pedestrian access will be provided from Station Road with a new zebra crossing being introduced downhill of the roundabout.

Town and county councillor Eric Nicholson said he was concerned about the effect of a zebra crossing near the existing roundabout.

He said: "I think it's in completely the wrong place. It will stop traffic flowing off the highway and into the car park which I believe will cause massive congestion problems."

He added he hoped Lidl would contribute towards future traffic programmes in the town.

He said: "I will be speaking to Highways officers to see what we can get from Lidl that might mitigate traffic problems."

The supermarket's car park will provide 90 spaces and bike racks.

Lidl's planning application says drivers will be allowed to park free of charge for up either 1.5 or two hours. 

An automatic number plate recognition camera system will be installed. 

The owner of any vehicles recorded on site for more than two hours will be fined.

The proposed store would employ up to 40 full and part-time staff.

Under the plans, a new store would be built for WCF on the existing garage site.

Once the company had moved into its new 7,287sq ft premises, the old store would be demolished, making way for the 19,127sq ft supermarket to be built. 

David Murphy, Lidl's regional head of property, said Cockermouth had been a target town for a number of years and the viability of a new supermarket in the town was only increasing as more houses were built. 

At a public consultation held last month concerns were raised about the impact of increased traffic levels.