Lidl store at Shrewsbury Town's ground given go ahead - and work could begin in May
A new Lidl supermarket will be built at Shrewsbury Town's Greenhous Meadow stadium after planners gave a scheme the go ahead.
As part of the scheme, a new community pitch and changing rooms will be built on the club's current training pitch inside the stadium grounds.
The decision has been welcomed by the football club's chief executive Brian Caldwell, who called it a "win-win situation" for all parties.
Members of Shropshire Council's central planning committee gave the green light to the German chain building on land which was protected by a section 106 legal agreement protecting it for community use - and work could begin on the store in May.
At the meeting at Shirehall yesterday, they also agreed to amend the section 106 to alter the location of the community pitch and the facilities to be provided. This will include a £65,000 contribution from the football club to facilities elsewhere in the community and the provision of changing rooms.
Mr Caldwell said: "I am absolutely delighted.
"It has been a long hard slog and lots of work has gone in to getting it over the line today.
"It is great news for Lidl, the football club and the local community. It is now going to provide a facility which will be used regularly by the community.
"It is a win-win situation. The club are selling the land to Lidl so financially it makes us stronger, the community gets a great facility and the first team will move to a new base at Sundorne."
