PLANS for an Aldi store in Drumchapel have been given the go ahead despite a recommendation by planners to refuse it.

The proposals to build a branch of the discount supermarket chain were approved yesterday at Glasgow City Council's planning committee.

Work is expected to start on the 17,000 sq ft store in Duntreath Avenue in the new year. It is hoped it will open by Easter.

Council planners had recommended full planning permission be denied because the site was not in the town centre.

During the hearing at the City Chambers, committee members heard how the Aldi store was expected to be popular within the community.

They were told how the nearby Anniesland branch is the busiest in Scotland.

Councillors voted it through by 11 to two.

Local campaigners, including councillors Malcolm Balfour, of the SNP, Paul Carey, from Labour and MSP Bill Kidd welcomed the move.

Mr Balfour said: "We are really pleased that the plans have been put through.

"It is going to bring in 30 to 40 jobs to the area so that will be very positive.

"There has been cross party support for this campaign to bring a major supermarket to a deprived area of Glasgow."

Mr Carey said: "This is a credit to the hard work of the community representatives, Drumchapel Community Council and Old Drumchapel Community Council.

"They have worked along with myself in the last decade and it has come to fruition."

Earlier this year Aldi was crowned the nation's favourite supermarket in a Which? survey, beating competition from last year's winner Waitrose.

Meanwhile, Lidl has planning permission in principle for a store in Drumchapel town centre.