Plans are underway for an Aldi food store to be built in Porthcawl.
Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) has chosen Aldi as its preferred bidder for building a store on land at Salt Lake car park, Porthcawl.
The council's cabinet will meet on Tuesday January 19 to formally decide whether to dispose of the two-acre site, known locally as 'The Green', to Aldi Stores Ltd.
BCBC received five bids for the land, according to a report by Janine Nightingale, the council's corporate director for communities.
Aldi was selected as the preferred bidder for bidding the highest price for the site, a figure which "exceeds officers expectations".
Of the five bids received, only two were compliant with the requirements of the planning development brief drawn up by the council.
If the council approves the Aldi store, the development will kickstart further projects around Porthcawl, such as new homes, commercial and leisure developments.
In November 2018, BCBC agreed to use £2.553 million of the capital receipt from selling the land at Salt lake to invest in infrastructire around Porthcawl. This includes upgrading the town centre's Hillsborough car park.
Ms Nightingale's report states Porthcawl's waterfront sites are "largely unoccupied and underutilised and detract from the attractiveness of the area".
It also states EJ Hales Ltd, who advertised the site on the council's behalf, believe "the selected bid is a highly attractive financial offer and in terms of value delivers best consideration".
EJ Hales advertised the site for bids on behalf of BCBC in late September 2020, with a deadline of noon on December 02.
Independence Alliance Group leader Norah Clarke said: "Having a food store in Porthcawl is a positive step forward.
"Porthcawl as a town lacks choice for doing a major food shop. Having a choice will reverse the need for residents having to leave Porthcawl to do a family shop.
"It’s important that the public appreciate that it will only be a food store and not a supermarket.
The Porthcawl representative also said having an Aldi in Porthcawl could also reduce the amount of shoppers travelling to Bridgend, Pyle and Port Talbot.
She added: "It will have a knock on effect and encourage other retailers to set up in Porthcawl adding to the economy and creating much needed jobs."
The development needs to be an innovative, environmentally sustainable building design which uses high-quality materials.
A council spokesperson said the food store must consider the heritage and setting of Porthcawl, establishing "a distinct, enhanced gateway" into the area.
They added: " It must create new jobs and offer wider choice, deliver improved pedestrian and cycle links, and help increase footfall between the town centre and the Eastern Promenade.
"All of the money generated from the land disposal will be reinvested back into Porthcawl where it will support other elements of the regeneration."
If the council agrees to sell the land to Aldi, as part of the disposal agreement, they would have the site for a 999 year lease.
Aldi would also be required to enter into an agreement for the lease within eight weeks after cabinet approval and then submit a planning application for the store within six months.
Works would have to begin within six months of planning consent being granted. If planning consent was not secured within 18 months of entering into the lease agreement, then the agreement would be terminated.
