88 jobs on the way as Newport retail park gets go-ahead
A new mini-retail park will be created in Newport, bringing 88 jobs, after plans were given the go-ahead.
The plans, which have been approved by Telford & Wrekin Council under delegated powers, include building a branch of Lidl.
It will sit alongside four shops and a cafe or restaurant on land to the north of the Aldi supermarket in Audley Avenue.
The new supermarket would be on a site neighbouring the existing Aldi store, which opened to customers in August 2015.
The planning application estimates that 88 new jobs will be created across all the businesses and a report says it could bring £2.5 million to the local economy.
There would also be more than 200 parking spaces.
A new access will also be put in to the new shops from the A41.
A decision notice from Telford & Wrekin Council, which grants approval to the scheme, says Pets at Home and Poundland have been lined up to occupy two of the shop units.
The plans received the support of Newport Town Council and the Newport (Shropshire) and District Chamber of Commerce.
However Newport (Shropshire) Town Team had called for the plans to be refused, saying they undermine the economic viability of retail businesses in Newport’s town centre.
A total off 11 objections were received from neighbouring properties, along with four letters of support.
In the decision notice, case office Kate Stephens said the proposal would not have any significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Newport’s town centre.
She said: "The design of the food store and other retail units are contemporary and strike a satisfactory balance of design and scale suitable for a site that sits alongside adjacent retail stores, existing industrial units and proposed new housing."
The proposed opening hours for the development are 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday and bank holidays.
