Plans for a new Lidl in Shropshire kicked out
Plans to build a Lidl store on the outskirts of Newport have been thrown out by planners – despite hundreds of people writing letters in support of the scheme.
It is now the second planning application to be refused by Telford & Wrekin Council for a supermarket on the site next to Mere Park Garden Centre.
An appeal will be held on the first refusal in the next few months.
Objector Sean McGrath told councillors meeting last night that the application should be refused because it was on a greenfield site and went against council planning policy.
But Ray Corbett, who is now retired but has run a business in Newport for more than 50 years, spoke at the meeting to say he would be in support of the scheme.
He said: "I think the Lidl is a good idea for Newport. We need these low-cost supermarkets – people have to travel to Hadley at the moment."
Christian Hawley, speaking on behalf of Lidl, held up what he said were 459 notes of support and 11 separate letters in support of the scheme. He said it had also been backed by Newport Town Council and the town's chamber of commerce.
But councillors decided to go along with their officers' recommendation and opted to refuse the application at the meeting, which was held at the Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington last night.
Rival chain Aldi has been given permission to knock down the former Focus DIY store in Audley Avenue to build a store, with work due to start this month.
The latest application for a Lidl was submitted just days after after St Modwen, Telford & Wrekin Council and Sainsbury's were forced to pull the plug on a three-year long bid to build a Sainsbury's supermarket at Station Road.
That greenfield site is now likely to be developed for housing.
