LIDL SUBMITS NEW PLANS FOR CASTLE IRWELL STORE

Lidl has submitted a 'scaled-back' plan for a proposed store at the Castle Irwell development, after its previous plan was thrown out by councillors back in August of last year. (2022)

The revised plan suggests that a smaller store could work better within the available space on the corner of Littleton Road and Cromwell Road. 

The city council’s planning officers said at the time that the scheme would “weaken the positive and high-quality urban design attributes of the emerging Castle Irwell neighbourhood”.  

Despite an appeal by Lidl, the decision was upheld, forcing the supermarket chain to go back to the drawing board.

The new proposals would see the store front moved closer to the road, which was one of the reasons cited for rejection of the previous plans.

The new layout would see the new store accessed via Cromwell Road instead of Littleton Road.

Last year Lidl opened another store nearby, on the former site of Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton. Since its opening the store has benefitted the local community with lower priced food and veg and ease of access for those unable to venture further afield.

In our opinion, the council should factor in the current cost of living crisis and the benefit of lower costs for local people in the area as part of their decision on the new store.