THE way has been cleared for two major businesses to move into Evesham.

Wychavon District Council has approved plans for R Sinclair Transport to relocate to the Vale Park.

The move paves the way for Aldi and TK Maxx to move into the Four Pools Retail Park in Davies Road.

Three shops will open at Davies Road, with the named companies contracted.

The approval ends a protracted process, with the application originally made in 2016.

Planning officers had recommended that the plan be refused due to the effect that it might have on the town centre but the council planning committee went against this advice.

Poundland were also mentioned in connection with the site in early planning documents, but they appear to have withdrawn their interest.

Nigel Sinclair, co-owner of R Sinclair Transport which made the application said: “We are very happy that it has gone through, albeit a bit confused at why it has taken so long to go through.

“We are meeting with people this week and hope to get started in September.

“If all goes well we hope to have completed the work by summer 2018.

“Aldi and TK Maxx are contracted to build on the site, the other business has not yet been confirmed so their name cannot be released. Poundland is not a name I have heard.”

Robin Williams, property director at Aldi said in a planning letter that the store would run in addition to the town centre shop rather than instead.

He said: “It is our intention to keep both stores running as we believe they serve separate catchments and different shopper needs.

“One of the consultant responses stated that we are likely to close the existing Evesham store which is not our intent.”

TK Maxx declined to comment and Aldi declined to comment further.