LIDL bosses say 'they could not be more delighted' at getting planning permission for a new supermarket in High Wycombe.
But despite the new Lidl on London Road getting the go-ahead last week, there is one snag holding up any potential opening date.
The supermarket chain thanked people in the area for their 'continued support' during the long planning battle to convert the former Homebase store.
Many residents wrote to the council giving their backing to the project.
A condition of the planning permission means that no work can start on fitting out the new Lidl until an environmental report has been carried out and approved by the council.
This means no opening date can be confirmed until the applicants can prove that the work will not contaminate the area around the River Wye which runs alongside the building.
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Lidl said as soon as work is under way, it will confirm when it will be ready to start business.
Lidl UK’s regional head of property, Jeremy Lee, said: “We could not be more delighted to have received planning permission, and look forward to getting started on the development.
"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their continued support, and very much look forward to opening our doors and offering our fresh, quality, great value products in the not too distant future."
Workers have already been spotted on the site, and the site inspection may already be under way.
Activity has been taking place in the garden centre section of the former Homebase since Tuesday.
The planning agents have been contacted for information about what is happening on site ths week.
The agents and site owners have also been asked how long the environmental work might take, but are yet to make a statement.
As a former landfill site, the Environment Agency said it was concerned that building work on the Homebase site could disrupt contamination underground and cause pollution, adding that the developer should also restore “ecological value” to the nearby river.
Along with the new Lidl, there are two new 'pod' shops being built where the garden centre used to be.
Despite questioning, the planning agent and site owner have not yet confirmed which businesses will take up the spots.
However, many suspect a coffee shop will open after a plan to build a Costa in the car park was given planning permission in 2015.
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