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Lidl plans approved despite Tesco objection

Bill EdgarLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageLidl A CGI artist impression of the Lidl store which is a large, white building with a partial glass front on the left side. Two blue and yellow Lidl logo sit on the roof of the roof of the store, one facing the car park on the right, and the other facing a main road on the left. There are cars in the car park and two driving down the road.Lidl
Plans have been approved for a Lidl in Chester-le-Street

A new Lidl supermarket will be built despite objections from rival chain Tesco.

Planning permission was granted to open the store on the site of the former Go North East depot in Chester-le-Street in County Durham.

In its application to Durham County Council, Lidl said the multi-million pound project would create up to 40 jobs, boost the economy and improve shopping options.

The new store would be built opposite Aldi's branch in the town, off Picktree Lane, but Tesco warned it would negatively impact town centre trade.

Robert Dibdon, speaking on behalf of Lidl, said the retailer received 850 responses from residents to the proposal, with 88% in support.

Gary Smith, a resident of Picktree Lane, objected to the proposal and told the council's planning committee the new store would exacerbate traffic problems in the surrounding area.

"I have been trapped on the large roundabout coming into Chester-le-Street, there have been some close shaves," he said.

News imageLidl A plot of land which is covered in concrete which looks run down with weeds poking through. On the left is a low, white-brick wall with chipped paint and graffiti. There are leafless trees which surround the land . The sky is blue with large white clouds.Lidl
Councillor Craig Martin said residents want to see the land developed

In its objection, Tesco said the rival supermarket would harm town centre trade, while the number of new jobs Lidl claimed it would create would be off-set by possible cuts by businesses needing to "rationalise hours or staffing in response to trade loss".

The firm also said the addition of another supermarket in a town where there was already a Tesco, Aldi and "other major retailers" would "risk over-saturating the local market".

Echoing the traffic concerns, Craig Martin, Liberal Democrat councillor for North Lodge described the "highway situation" as "horrific", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But Martin agreed that the positives of the development outweighed objectors' concerns.

"Residents, when I have spoken to them, really want to see this land developed rather than be an ugly brownfield site," he said.

Councillor Alan Bell, Independent member for Lumley and West Rainton, said "it's an excellent application" and supported it, but said: "It's a shame we couldn't have addressed all the highway issues."

Reform councillor for Delves Lane, Kenny Hope, also agreed to approve the application.

Lidl will start work on the new supermarket in due course.

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