One hundred and 60 jobs could be created if a multi-million-pound development at the Mercure Wetherby Hotel site in Wetherby is granted planning permission.
Lidl GB and Springfield Healthcare have submitted an updated planning application to Leeds City Council for a new supermarket, care home and senior living accommodation. The resubmission follows further technical work being undertaken to address points raised by planning officers including additional tree planting.
The plans, which received significant support from the local community, include a new supermarket with a 1,392m two sales area featuring Lidl's in-store bakery and customer toilets with baby changing facilities. The scheme includes the company's latest design specifications such as sustainable measures like solar panels on the roof and rapid Electric Vehicle charging points in the car park.
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A detailed landscaping scheme is included, with significant new tree planting and a landscape buffer to help screen the Lidl store from surrounding properties. The development has been carefully designed taking account of its surroundings and the Lidl store will not be visible from the roundabout.
The plans also include an 84-bed care home and eight senior living eco-homes for the over 55s, provided by Springfield Healthcare. The footprint and layout of the care home and eco-homes were carefully considered to respond to its surroundings, including four individually designed gardens for residents to use with a variety of care needs, including dementia.
A spokesman for Lidl GB said: "We are pleased to submit this updated planning application that would deliver a modern Lidl food store offering high-quality produce at best value prices, enhance consumer choice, and provide investment and greater shopping competition to Wetherby.
"We know there is significant community support for the scheme, with over 2,000 residents supporting during public consultation. We hope as many residents as possible ensure their voices are heard and register their support to Leeds Council."
Graeme Lee of Springfield Healthcare added: “We are fully committed to delivering an innovative and exemplary care development to Wetherby at this site. The submitted plans have been carefully designed and will respond to an ever-increasing local need for high quality care provision."
Overall, the development would create around 160 full and part-time jobs for the local community.
