Plans for an Aldi store could finally be approved next week - more than three years after planning permission was first sought.
Plans were first submitted to build the supermarket in Skelmersdale, adding to the one the chain already operates in the Concourse Shopping Centre in 2019. The plans were modified in January 2022 but have so far gone without an answer.
In 2020 the building that Aldi wanted to demolish - former Co-operative offices - was burned down in an arson attack and the culprits were identified and prosecuted.
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The application will finally be discussed by West Lancashire Borough Council's planning committee on Thursday, February 16, and councillors have been recommended to grant planning permission. If they do, Aldi will be allowed to build its latest store on the land off High Street, while a second building will be built and will function as a Toolstation trade counter, Lancs Live reports.
Objections to the scheme had been lodged by the Concourse's owners and St Modwen's - which is heavily involved in the creation of Skelmersdale's town centre - but these have been withdrawn after Aldi committed to keeping its existing store open. A further objection was submitted by Asda, which raised highway concerns and says the development would threaten the town centre's ambitions.
Meanwhile, a total of 90 supporting letters have been received by the council with reasons including the new jobs, the avoidance of having to travel out of town or use the multi-storey parking at the Concourse, and the possibility of longer opening hours than the existing store. According to the application, the two new businesses would create around 50-65 new jobs.
The matter will go before the planning committee and a report prepared for that meeting recommends the development be allowed. It suggests that councillors approve the matter pending discussions which include reaching a legal agreement that the existing Aldi remains open for five years.
Supporting letters have been received by the council with reasons including the new jobs, the avoidance of having to travel out of town or use the multi-storey parking at the Concourse, and the possibility of longer opening hours than the existing store. According to the application, the two new businesses would create around 50-65 new jobs.
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