Aldi is in planning reform talks with the government as it aims to ramp up future store openings.

The supermarket giant is currently experiencing an over-a-year delay of the planning application process, which it hopes to address with an investment offer to “under-resourcing” in local authorities, The Grocer reported.

It comes as Aldi UK’s national real estate director George Brown revealed on the social media platform LinkedIn that he had visited No.10 last week to speak to the prime minister’s special advisor Nick Williams.

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Brown said: “Obtaining planning consent for new Aldi schemes can take us over 12 months due to under-resourcing in local authorities. We will happily invest in the application process to help speed that up.

“A new Aldi store is also a significant job creator in local communities, delivering the some of the top salary levels in retail in addition to #everydayamazing benefits and great opportunities for career progression.”

Brown added that retail was not given the same weighting in the decision making process and called for change in order to bolster the UK economy.

Earlier this year, the discounter announced it was planning to open more than 10 new stores across the UK in the coming months as it remains on track to meet its target of opening 35 new supermarkets this year as part of its £550m investment.