WORK to build a new supermarket, drive-thru cafe and petrol station is set to begin in the autumn after plans were approved.

Councillors in Wrexham have given the go ahead for proposals to create a new Aldi, Costa Coffee and Kay Group filling station on land next to the A483 in Ruabon.

It forms part of a multi-million pound development with outline permission already granted for 319 houses, business units, a pub and hotel.

Some objections were raised against the plans by Cadw, which manages many of Wales’ historical monument and buildings, including that the design did not fit in with the nearby Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site and Wynnstay Hall.

However, members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee approved the scheme by a unanimous vote at yesterday’s meeting (Monday 30 July).

Ruabon councillor Joan Lowe said: “We did have some reservations about highways matters, but these have been worked through and we’re now happy with those.

“Also if you see the roundabout that’s proposed, the miners wheel on that is quite a landmark, so we did have some concerns about that, but working with the company we’ve come up with a scheme and Aldi are going to sponsor that roundabout and maintain it.

“As a community I think that’s a real plus as that roundabout is a gateway going down the Dee Valley.”

An agent speaking on behalf of applicants said work would begin in the autumn and create new jobs in the local community.

All buildings which form part of the development will be accessed by a central spine road linked to a new junction on the roundabout attached to the A539 and B5605.

The outline permission already includes conditions requiring a number of road improvements, including the installation of a signal controlled crossing, speed limit reduction on the dual carriageway to 30mph and the creation of a footpath into Ruabon.