Winchester MP Steve Brine has told the management of supermarket chain Aldi to get on and build its new store in Weeke.
Mr Brine has again written to joint Group MD's, Matthew Barnes and Roman Heini, as we enter the fourth year since the company obtained planning permission to (in early 2009) construct a new store next to Waitrose in Burnett Close, Weeke.
The MP said: "Aldi wanted permission to build this store so badly they were prepared to go to the planning inspector and overturn the democratically taken local decision which actually turned their original application down.
"It is now three years later and a spade hasn't touched the ground. I wrote to Mr Barnes and Heini a year ago to enquire as to their intentions and was told the company is currently 'reviewing the store opening strategy for the Southern region'. Thirteen months later nothing has changed and the site in Burnett Close remains a terrible eyesore on a key route into the city."
Mr Brine added that he was also concerned about No.3 Burnett Close which is also owned by Aldi and remains empty and confirmed he has been contacted by a number of worried constituents.
He added: "Residents in this part of Winchester are fed up with the uncertainty, the state of this site and those living in Burnett Close in particular are worried No.3 is becoming increasingly derelict. When you think of the people who would give their right arm for a family house in Winchester it is criminal to see it sitting empty.
"I have nothing whatsoever against Aldi being in the city, indeed I think they will be very welcome here and be welcome competition for the big three, but they now need to step up or walk away because there are many others, maybe even the city council with its council house building programme, who could make use of this prime site."
Aldi gained planning permission for a store on the site in early 2009 which expired on 26th February 2012. The company recently gained an extension via Winchester City Council which allows it more time before building on the site has to start.
Pictured; Steve Brine joins local campaigner Helen Osborne at the Aldi site
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