A CUT-price supermarket could be coming to Winchester on the site of a former pub in Weeke.

Aldi, which currently runs 5,000 stores across the world, want to demolish Chimneys on the Stockbridge Road and replace it with a 850sq m shop.

Plans for the scheme that has been submitted to Winchester City Council would also see a new dental surgery created above the shop.

The German owned company already run shops in Southampton, Romsey, Fareham and Portsmouth, but is looking to expand its interests across the south.

Currently Winchester has supermarkets run by Tesco, Sainsbury and Somerfield, while Marks & Spencer in the city centre also has a food department.

Last month the Daily Echo revealed how the Winchester Conservative Club had offered to swap its headquarters on Worthy Lane, with the Chimneys site. The closure coupled with Aldi's purchase of the site sparked a campaign by local people who were opposed to losing their pub and gaining a low-cost supermarket.

However the submission of a planning application by Aldi to also include neighbouring 2 Burnett Close, would seem to spell the end for the Conservatives' multi-million pound idea.

A design statement submitted to the council says the aim of Aldi's proposals is to create an unobtrusive modern building, mostly on a single storey, but with a smaller two-storey extension which would house the dental surgery. A spokesman for Aldi said it was unclear how many new jobs would be created.

Residents are now being invited to submit their views on the scheme, with a decision on whether to give Aldi the green light due sometime before the end of June.