Lidl is set to win the backing of council chiefs to open a new supermarket in Newcastle.
The discount store chain revealed its plans to build on undeveloped land in Shieldfield, back in 2020. That new branch of the German retail giant now looks set to get the green light when it comes before city councillors next Friday, April 8.
The proposals are recommended for approval at Newcastle City Council’s planning committee, despite the objections of supermarket rival Tesco. The Shieldfield Lidl would be built on a vacant, overgrown plot off Stoddart Street and feature an in-store bakery, customer toilets, and an 83-space car park.
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But competitor Tesco, which has a small Express store on Stoddart Street, claimed that the new store would have a "strong likelihood of causing a significant adverse impact" and urged that it be refused planning permission. In an objection notice sent to the city council, Tesco representatives accused Lidl of undertaking inadequate assessments of existing retail centres and suggested two “preferable” alternative building sites – next to Morrisons on Shields Road or at Carliol Square in the city centre.
However, council planners say that they believe there are no available and suitable sites that could accommodate the Lidl development. In a report ahead of next week’s committee meeting, they concluded: “Furthermore, the application proposal would improve choice in the local area. At present, the local area is not particularly well served in respect of the discount food store market and the Lidl would provide a clear improvement in local customer choice.”
The report adds that Lidl and the smaller Tesco Express would serve different purposes for shoppers and that any loss of trade from the existing site “is unlikely to be significant or result in the closure of the Tesco Express store”. There have been 31 comments made in favour of the application, with supporters saying it would result in the regeneration of what is currently “eyesore” land and create jobs.
One resident told the council: “The supermarkets already present in the area cater for the student population of the area and not for the local population and there are no equivalent shops in easy walking access for the resident population. The shop could also provide much needed local jobs, and could be a catalyst in the regeneration of the local Shieldfield area, which deserves and needs a real economic and social boost.”
Local Lib Dem councillor Gareth Kane also commented in favour of the plans, but asked that pedestrians and cyclists be given greater priority over car drivers in its design. The car park will have two rapid electric vehicle charging points and parking space for 10 bicycles.
