Council wins supermarket battle

A Cambridgeshire council has had its decision to refuse planning permission for a supermarket upheld.

Lidl wanted to open a new food store at Angel Drove in Ely.

East Cambridgeshire District Council refused the application on the grounds it would do little to strengthen the town centre's economy.

Lidl appealed against the decision and the application went before planning inspector David Wildsmith, who decided the council's refusal should stand.

Mr Wildsmith said: "Further convenience retail development on the appeal site would simply serve to strengthen and increase the attraction of this out-of-centre location, and would do little, if anything to strengthen the town centre."

'Difficult times'

The appeal lasted for seven days and hundreds of pages of evidence were read by the planning inspector.

Team leader of development services at East Cambridgeshire District Council, Lucie Turnell said: "The decision to dismiss the appeal will significantly affect the location of future provision of retailing in Ely.

"These are difficult economic times and it is vital we do all we can to support existing traders who have made the city their home."

Lidl was unavailable for comment on Friday afternoon.