DISCOUNT supermarket Aldi has unveiled plans to open a SECOND store in Taunton.

The company has applied for planning permission to set up shop in Chip Lane.

It wants to demolish the existing premises housing three businesses to build the new store from scratch.

Aldi already has a store on the outskirts of Taunton at Bathpool.

It has now lodged a planning application with Somerset West and Taunton Council, who will discuss it in due course.

If approved, the one-storey premises would replace the existing Tone Motor Company, Bicycle Chain and All About Beds outlets.

Aldi has stated for some time that it would like to open a new store in the county town.

It sees the edge-of-town site as ideal to serve the western part of Taunton.

The store would employ around 40 staff.

The proposals include car parking, landscaping and access widening.

If Aldi is successful, it would join two other supermarkets in having two large stores in Taunton.

Sainsbury's has shops in County Walk, off East Street, and at Hankridge, beside the M5.

Lidl has a store in Castle Street, while its second supermarket in Roman Road was recently demolished to make way for a larger premises.