COUNCILLORS have today backed plans for a Lidl distribution centre that could bring up to 400 jobs to Southampton.

The 43,000 square metre complex on land next to the M271 motorway will serve an area from Poole to Newbury and across to Brighton and will operate 24 hours a day.

The proposed plant will also see six houses being demolished to make way for the development which would stand up to 17 metres-high on the current greenfield site south of Brownhill Way, near Adanac Park.

Lidl chiefs say the facility will create 300 full-time positions and 100 part-time posts, and they will be looking for a “local” workforce to fill as many of the positions as possible.

The jobs will include warehouse operatives, office administrators and transport and logistics jobs.

Southampton city councillors have overruled objections from residents living nearby and Holy Family Primary School in Mansel Road West.

Test Valley Borough Council is expected to review it later this month.

Lidl signed a deal with Barker-Mill Estates, which owns the land, last year.