Aldi planners reassure Welshpool residents over new store
Supermarket bosses and planning chiefs have moved to reassure residents that the building of a new store in Welshpool will have minimal impact on the area.
Planners are re-assuring Welshpool residents that ongoing work to build the town's new Aldi store – which is expected to create up to 40 jobs – will have minimal impact on the canal wharf that surrounds it.
Locals complained after a line of trees which separates the development from the Montgomeryshire Canal was removed.
But Welshpool Town Council and Powys County Council planners are urging residents to be patient and to wait until they see the completed development, the plans of which, mentioned that the trees would be removed at the start of the works.
Welshpool Town Council clerk Robert Robinson said: "There were no surprises here, the planning application mentioned that a line of trees – that were nothing special – needed to be removed and replaced with an instant hedge that would appear on completion of the building.
"In the meantime there will be temporary safety fencing in place.
"None of my councillors have complained and the Powys planners seem happy.
"The temporary fencing is not subject to control by the Local Planning Authority."
Earlier this year, Aldi held a public exhibition in the town for residents to meet the project team, find out more about the proposal and provide feedback on the proposals.
The proposed store will also include 90 customer car parking spaces on site.
Aldi said the scheme would generate additional employment through construction and supply-chain opportunities.
A spokesman for Aldi previously said the store would compliment other traders rather than compete with them.
"As a food store with predominantly own labelled brands, Aldi would not compete directly with existing businesses within Welshpool," he said.
"For instance, it does not have an in-store butcher, fishmonger or cafe and does not sell cigarettes or tobacco products.
"This allows local businesses to flourish as customers link trips with the Aldi store and other local shops."
The Mill Lane site was previously put forward for a new superstore by fellow discount chain Lidl but the plans were turned down by Powys County Council in June last year.
