Plans for budget supermarket giant, Aldi, to move into High Wycombe have taken an “important step forward” after proposals were presented to the council this week.

In October the Bucks Free Press revealed Aldi could soon be making its way to the Tannery Road industrial estate on the London Road as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project.

Now CBRE Global Investors has submitted the plans Wycombe District Council, proposing to "regenerate" the current 1970s site by building the superstore and three business units intended to be let out as shop space.

The project is expected to create 30 jobs for the area and, if approved, the store will be opened in 2018.

District councillor for Ryemead, Marten Clarke, hopes the store will bring “economic benefit” to the area and caters for planned development in Wycombe.

He said: “On balance I think it would be a good thing – it brings economic benefit to people in my area. It will make the pound stretch further.

“More competition is always good; and in terms of the site it is well located to serve existing residents as well as provide shopping facilities that will cater for future housing growth in the area.”

The developers say it has carried out “extensive consultation” with residents which saw more than 80 per cent of people supporting redevelopment of the site.

The results mirror a similar poll of BFP readers, which saw more than 1,000 people back plans to build and Aldi in the town.

A spokesperson for Aldi said: “The level of response to the consultation has been great, with almost everyone saying that they would welcome the store.

“The comments received highlight that local people would like more shopping choice in the East of High Wycombe.

“We are excited to be a step closer to opening our store in High Wycombe. We have an agreement to lease the site, subject to planning, and are anticipating to have the new store open in early 2018.”

Simon Bowder, director at XLB property said there has already been a "high level" of interest in the businesses units, according to the owners, who believe the sites will be pre-let imminently - creating more job opportunities for the town.