A new Lidl looks set to be built in a Nottinghamshire town despite opposition by shops and locals. A Lidl supermarket, a drive-thru café and 71 homes are expected to be built on land East Of Carlton Road and Blyth Road in Worksop, if councillors give the go-ahead at a Bassetlaw District Council planning committee on January 4.
The plans, which would require the demolition of six and eight Blyth Road, have been subject to a great deal of controversy for years. The demolition of these two properties, which are within a Conservation Area has meant continued opposition from Bassetlaw District Council's conservation officer and from The National Trust.
The proposal has also been opposed by Asda and the local Priory Centre shopping centre, who have said the store could be built elsewhere and would detract from Worksop town centre. The public reaction to the project was divisive with 58 objections and 51 letters of support received, with objectors citing traffic, pollution, antisocial behaviour, and damage to a conservation site, while supporters cited the creation of jobs, the regeneration of an 'eyesore', and that a discount store was needed.
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Nottinghamshire County Council has requested £2,497 towards library provision, as well as £7,000 towards the local community transport scheme. No contributions have been sought for primary school places and secondary places would be funded through Community Infrastructure Levy.
Network Rail has raised concerns raised in respect of the closeness of the development to the level crossing, requesting £75,000 to improve the crossing. It also objected to the installation of a pedestrian crossing being installed north of the level crossing on Carlton Road and requested a contribution for improvements to Worksop Station.
The application was previously refused by councillors on December 9, 2020, due to worries it would negatively impact businesses already established in the town centre. The plans were resubmitted in late 2021 after no other alternative sites for the development were found within the town centre.
In a report submitted ahead of the next committee, which advised the project be granted planning permission, a Bassetlaw District Council planning officer said: "It has been identified that the development would result in less than substantial harm on [the] Conservation Area through the demolition of number six and eight Blyth Road. This harm has been assessed against the social, environmental and economic benefits of the scheme. It has been concluded that the harm is not outweighed by these public benefits and accordingly the development is consistent with the Framework."
A planning document, submitted on behalf Lidl said: "The site has previously been approved for retail development when it was granted planning permission for a new Tesco food store in 2011. However, since then, the most recent planning applications have been refused on three grounds; retail policy (sequential test & impact on investment) / heritage / highways.
"Lidl’s revised proposal picks up many of the points raised by the Council in the refusal and demonstrates their continued commitment to the site and Worksop. Lidl’s proposal will bring the site back into productive use, and do so with a scheme which greatly enhances the area, meeting both retail and residential needs."
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