Controversial plans for a Lidl have been dealt another setback after updated proposals were again knocked back by the council.

The budget supermarket wants to open a new 1,457-square-metre store at the World of Water site in Watford Road, near Hunton Bridge, but Herts County Council raised “fundamental issues”.

Lidl responded by submitting more documentation to allay the concerns, which the local authority said it would assess before giving feedback to Three Rivers District Council by March 22.

A HCC spokesperson told the Watford Observer this week: “The position of the Highway Authority is that we are not yet satisfied with the highway layout and the form of the proposed access. 

“It is understood that the applicant’s transport consultant is continuing to work on the access design and a resubmission will be forthcoming soon. 

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“The Highway Authority (HCC) remain engaged with both the LPA and the applicant’s team on this planning application and consideration needs to be made to committed Warner Bros proposals.”

Watford Observer: Herts County Council says consideration must be made for the nearby Warner Bros Studios plans.Herts County Council says consideration must be made for the nearby Warner Bros Studios plans. (Image: Google Maps)

The nearby studios’ expansion includes 11 new sound stages, production officers, three workshops, a 2,500-space multi-storey car park and a new roundabout near the A41 North Western Avenue.

HCC will continue to engage on the Lidl application and assess further layouts when they are submitted, the spokesperson added.

The plans previously divided opinion with some residents branding them "ridiculous" while others claimed they were "over the moon" at the prospect.