THE former Chippenham Magistrates Court is set to be demolished and replaced by a discount supermarket.

Lidl announced on Monday it had bought the site in Pewsham Way for an undisclosed fee and would soon be consulting with the public as well as applying for planning permission later this month.

If it gets the go-ahead supermarket giant’s proposal will mean two branches in Chippenham. The multi-million pound development is expected to have solar panels and two electric car charging points to make it sustainable. It is also predicted that 40 jobs will be created.

Desna Allen, mayor of Chippenham, said: “Initially I though ‘oh dear’, I couldn’t see a supermarket being built on that plot of land.

“Then I thought about it some more and realised that Pewsham is currently under-served in regards to a supermarket. Everyone in Pewsham has to go to the other side of town.

“This could help congestion and pollution in the town as Pewsham residents won’t have to cross town to do their shopping.

“Obviously everything has to be done properly but if it is, it could be a good thing for the town.

“I was sad when the court closed but now that it has the plot of land should be used for something.”

Clare Cape, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Pewsham, echoed the mayor’s positivity for the plan.

She said: “Quite a lot of my residents in Pewsham get frustrated that all of the supermarkets are on the other side of town. So this will be a good thing in terms of convenience for them.

“In the bigger picture, I don’t know if we want all these supermarkets surrounding the town centre. It makes it harder and harder for our high street to function.

“I think it would be good if there was a petrol station in Pewsham as well as a supermarket. On balance I would say I’m for the new Lidl.”

Glen Stidever, Lidl GB regional head of property, said: “We believe this in an excellent site for a new Lidl store in Chippenham, in an extremely sustainable location.

“The site is within a ten minute walk to the town centre and is easily accessible for the local community. Our consultation leaflet will soon be circulated and we welcome community feedback.”

The magistrates court closed last year and criminal cases are now heard in Swindon or Salisbury.