Lidl to open in Newport even if plans are rejected

The chain wants to build on scrubland within the Mere Park Garden Centre on the outskirts of Newport.

Its application is set to go before Telford & Wrekin planners next month.

The authority is also considering an application from rival German supermarket firm Aldi, which wants to open on former industrial land off Stafford Road.

According to Aldi, only one of the sites will gain permission. But whatever the council decides, Lidl has said it will open on Mere Park.

If the council refuses planning permission, it plans to convert the existing garden centre building into a store.

Lidl argues it can do this because last year a leading judge ruled that the garden centre building has permission to sell anything, including food, without the need for further planning consent.

In a letter to Telford & Wrekin Council, Ed Whalley, Lidl acquisitions manager, said: "We are, and have been for some time, aware of the Certificate of Lawful Use and Development that the Mere Park Garden Centre building benefits from and have taken time to assess the feasibility of trading from this building.

"Whilst I would reiterate that our current proposal is to continue to pursue our current planning application, discussions regarding the fall-back position of trading from the garden centre building have taken place."

Lidl has produced drawings to prove that the garden centre could be converted with minor alterations. Garden centre owner David Brierley said a new centre would then be built opposite.

Meanwhile, a high court judge will run the rule over plans for a Morrisons in Audley Avenue next month, and proposals for a Sainsbury's in Station Road are to go before a public inquiry this year.