A discount retailer has submitted a planning application to demolish a local gym and their existing store so they can replace it with a new larger store.
Lidl have applied to build a new foodstore at Summerfields Village Centre immediately adjacent to their existing store, on the site currently occupied by the energi Fitness Club.
Supporting documentation states "A detailed survey of the existing store has been undertaken in order to identify the scope of works required to bring the store up to Lidl's high company standards. Due to the extensive works required, it has been found to be more cost and time-effective to replace the existing foodstore and build a brand new, up-to-date building.
"This decision has also been heavily influenced by the availability of the neighbouring Energie Fitness Club, with the current site owners being prepared to dispose of the site to Lidl to facilitate the development of a new Lidl store."
The replacement store will be approximately twice the scale of the existing Lidl store, with 2,480m2 gross floorspace, and be served by a total of 137 parking spaces, including six disabled and eight parent and child spaces, together with cycle parking facilities.
The new store will offer an identical range of goods to the existing store, along with an expansion of the bakery product lines following the introduction of an in-store bakery.
The additional sales floorspace will allow for wider aisles, larger product displays and more spacious circulation area on entry to the store, whilst the extra non-sales floorspace will provide for a large pallet freezer, bakery preparation area, customer toilets, more generous storage space and improved staff accommodation.
The company says the delivery of a brand-new building will also enable a range of energy efficient technologies to be adopted.
If planning permission is granted then Lidl proposes to phase the development so the existing store will remain in operation whilst the new store is constructed and will cease trading and be demolished to provide car parking on the opening of the replacement store.
All existing members of staff will be transferred to the new store and it is expected that two additional full-time and 10 to 15 additional part-time jobs will be created.
The new Lidl store will be single storey, lower in height when than the existing 2-storey fitness club building, and will generally occupy the footprint of the existing fitness club. The store entrance will face towards the neighbouring retail parade, with customer car parking provided between the new and existing buildings.
The replacement store's opening hours will be 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturdays and for a six-hour period between 10am and 5pm on Sundays. Whilst the existing store car park is available for customers to use free of charge for up to 60 minutes, this period of time will be extended to 90 minutes when the new store is opened.
Lidl UK's Regional Head of Property, Stuart Jardine, commented: "Our current Wilmslow store is extremely popular but is no longer able to meet the needs of our customers. An opportunity has arisen to purchase the property currently occupied by the Energie Fitness Club, which means that we can improve our retail offering in Wilmslow."
Stuart Jardine added: "A new, more modern store will allow us to stock a wider range of products and improve the shopping experience for our customers. The proposed new store is only metres away from the current store, which will result in a smooth transition for our regular customers."
Some local residents who have got together to fight Lidl's plans to build a larger store, saying it will be closer to more homes and result in noise and light pollution, loss of privacy and loss of greenery. They are meeting with Tatton MP Esther McVey at the site later this week to discuss their concerns.
Lidl's planning application can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 17/3208M. The last date for submitting comments is 31st August and a decision is expected by 22nd September.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
You could argue a case for blaming the gym owners for not purchasing the freehold, but, we are not privy to how much that cost, or whether they were given the option.
Theres no doubt that the Lidl (& Aldi) trading ethos is sound enough.
Together they've given modern food retailing a much needed shot in the arm.
There's a but coming . . .
What isn't sound though is to build a 50% bigger, very modern store right next to existing homes on all three sides.
Unlike the Energie Gym which is quiet, has minimal deliveries, sheilded with mature trees in its own grounds and built to blend in with its neighbours the new Lidl store could not be more opposite if it tried.
Look at the plans and the specification. Witness the proposed Lidl delivery bay which will be metres from bedroom windows.
And, if you are still in any doubt go look at other new Lidl stores.
At least the existing Lidl store is built of brick and is in a shopping parade where it should stay and if really needed, extended.
So readers before its too late, exercise your free democratic right & stand up against yet more brutal new development.
Register your thoughts on the Cheshire East planning web site now.
Regards,
Village Mews Residents Association
The excellent classes and pool will be sadly missed and unfortunately will be irreplaceable for many.
Really? I live within spitting distance from Bollin Park and go to Styal all the time and it never takes more than that sort of time. Perhaps it wouldn't be 9 minutes at 08:00 in rush hour, but who goes to Quarry Bank Mill at 08:00?
Those that have seen the plans will see the inaccuracies in the raft of information Lidl provide to support their application.
Apart from the wild travel assumptions, they fail to address that it's not appropriate (or fair) to embed a big brash supermarket right next to homes.
And as for claims about. ' Lidl Landscaping' and Lidl 'protecting the environment ' go look at the meagre shrubs they've stuck in at their other new stores to appease the planners.
So readers we urge you, protect your town & record your opposition on the Cheshire East planning site. Before it's too late...
Thank you.
Village Mews Residents Association
No Green Belt has been lost.
Planning permission should consider proximity of residential housing and increased traffic, as per Waitrose, Sainsbury et al in Wilmslow.
I would argue that Summerfield/Wilmslow requires at least one discount supermarket, to provide some competion.
You say that "... Summerfields Wilmslow requires at least one discount supermarket, to provide some competition"
It already has one in the form of the existing Lidl store
It' s in the shopping parade next to the mini Tesco, perfectly adequate as a local store and dare I say it, it's where it belongs with the other small retail units it complements.
If this big new brash 50% bigger Lidl store gets built right in the middle of the Chamberlain / Colshaw / Tiverton Drive area it will be to
(1) detriment of homes that have quiet enjoyment of the gym and its gardens
(2) increased traffic and pollution which is harmful to health
(3) overall net job losses at the gym
(4) the loss of a much needed community recreational facility than yet more aisles of cakes, chocolates and cheeses.
(5) Noise, dirt and disruption as one building goes to rubble and the new Lidl rises.
If you are still not convinced Dave, then have a read of the groundswell of public opinion on the CE planning website which is saying very clearly :-
"No to Lidl & Yes to Energie !"
Many people now regard discount supermarkets as viable alternatives to the Top 5.
Neighbours can only object on planning grounds.
Locally we expect The Rifleman pub to be soon demolished to be replaced by 8 apartments.
Jackie Pass (as always) is absolutely right, indeed what then has happened to "in the interests of residential amenity" ?
And for that matter what has happened to quiet enjoyment and a community recreational amenity?
All sound and solid reasons to appeal.
Really sorry to see The Rifleman Pub going.
You say it's ".... to be replaced by 8 apartments" (I did't know the original plans for town houses been changed in favour of flats) Is that
Incidentally check the facts out first please but I understand that Energie had no option but to relinquish their lease?
It's 2017? We've had a war. A recession...a net gain of circa .6m people to the uk...7 summer Olympics...the internet revolution .. to name but a few... but don't worry 1990s policy you continue to spout is about as relevant as the walkman.
. . . and when every building within a square 1 mile of here is of traditional construction with a dual pitch roof what developer with any degree of neighbourhood awareness would want to build something prefabricated with a flat roof ?!
Possibly the same one which wants planning permission to bulldoze a popular and needed recreational facility. . .
Even the current Lidl up on the shopping parade is brick built like the houses around here and has a normal pitched roof.
So thanks Jackie, for as ever, your research and sound advice.
But everyday people must be grateful that this process provides food, jobs, and so close to home assuming the salaries afford the housing. Ryan is happy and Jon can still get to Styal in 9 minutes maximum. Just been on a Driver Speed Awareness training course and think Jon might just be breaking the law. A law that has been in place since time but Ryan might think should now be broken as it is not appropriate to life in 2017.
Still think the'For Mash get Smash' advertisement of many years ago sums it all up perfectly.
However, it would make sense for Lidl to expand into the adjacent car park and for the frequently boarded up boozer to be demolished for parking. This would leave the gym etc unmolested.
A further point for Lidl to consider - a significant number of well heeled gym users also use the opportunity to shop at Lidl, Will they continue to use Lidl? When (hopefully) Aldi move into either Sainsburys or Waitrose in Wilmslow will anyone drive to Lidl or will it become a corner shop for locals?
Since at least on your argument about the number of supermarkets you have attempted to introduce some actual facts, you may also wish to consider comparing how many gyms there are within 6 miles of the same location. I'm sure this would, however, only weaken your case as you would surely find a similar number of gyms, and certainly the per head of population figure that use the supermarkets compared to the gyms would be considerably higher.
Pleased to hear unlike me you stick within the speed limits. (I stuck to the limits on my way home from the course but being a reformed character did not go down well with those forming the queue behind me!). I assume you do stop at the various junctions en route to Styal. I just think the whole thing going on around Wilmslow and Handforth etc. is crazy and feel so sorry for those who have to pay the price for all of this profiteering.
Is there any history of Lidl being refused a major planning application in the last 5 years in this area (other than for signage)?
The development isn't surrounded by houses on three sides, only on one, the other sides are car parking, roads and verges. The Lidl store will certainly cause no more disruption for Summerfields residents than it does now.
Lidl is a very popular store and even when all the tills are open, yes it does happen, there are still enormous queues, hopefully the new store will include basket only or self serve tills to ease the congestion.
Homes on Three Sides :-
As we looked out of the window ten minutes ago there definitely
was housing on three sides that you seemingly are not aware of. (Your post 11 August @ 1154 hrs refers)
Here are the homes on three sides that are being threatened by the Lidl plans
(1) 1 to 25 Chamberlain Drive Village Mews SK9 2SN
(2) 14 to 45 Tiverton Drive Village Mews SK9 2TJ
(3) 3 cul de sacs off Colshaw Drive Colshaw Farm SK9 2PZ
Howty Close Colshaw Farm :-
And actually you are wrong about Howty Close too and Jackie Pass is, as ever right of course. She really has "done her homework"
Chamberlain Drive SK9 2SN is built on what were the derelict town houses on Howty Close.
They had south facing back gardens and the higher numbers backed on to 1- 45 Summerfields Village Court Ringstead Drive before they were demolished.
We should know. We live here & to this day we are still finding brick ends in our gardens from the town houses.
All the best,
Martin Kitchin
The townhouses on Howty Close are now a road as it says in my comment but the houses and gym are built on a terrace of 2 bedroomed houses, if Jones built the properties with those still in place, he's a better builder than i thought.
The Jones homes definitely were built on the old derelict town houses.
They are not just two bedroom homes as you say. They are a good community mix of two bedroom flats, two, three and four bedroom houses for a whole range of residents. We live there.
I am pleased that the plans wont make a difference to you (why should everybody be made to suffer ?) but sadly they do impact on many others . Hence the campaign
1. Loss of much needed community recreational, social and leisure facility that will not be replaced
2. Net loss of jobs
3. Delivery bay near living rooms /bedrooms
4. Lorries reversing behind homes to fill 50% bigger store and increased traffic on Dean Row thatwe really don't need
5. Bakery smells,increased polution and the risks that presents to everybody
6. Waste products
7. Removal of greenery, sheilding and environmental losses
8. Increased footfall from more visitors and cars
9. Mono pitch roof and prefabricated construction when everything else including your homes are brick & tile (just like the current Lidl)
Whilst I'm upset my local gym is disappearing...I don't think this is application should be rejected.
Martin - whilst you may not want a larger lidl......however your numbered items 1-9 hold about as much credibility as the US president
Thank you for your feedback.
As good as a wild flower meadow would be for residents and for the environment, I am not convinced that it would provide sufficient return on investment for any supermarket chain let alone Lidl.
Incidentally, Wilmslow Parish Council are due to look at the proposals on Monday 21st August at 7pm at the meeting room on Cliffe Rd
Regards,
Martin
Village Mews Residents Association
Wilmslow Town Council's planing committee meeting is at 7.30pm- if you arrive for 7 you may be stood outside!
Thanks
Cllr Angela McPake
The case officer for this application at Cheshire East Planning will now be informed and prepare his report following the deadline for comments on the 31st August. Those objecting to Lidl's planned development and who have not already submitted objections should do so as soon as possible. That Wilmslow Council have refused their permission does not mean that this application will necessarily fail. It is likely that the application will now go to the Northen (CE) Planning Committee, following the case officer's report, for a final decision, where it could be still approved.
Please use the time left to access the CE Local Strategy Plan on the CE planning portal and have a look at 'Objectives', 'Policies', 'Vision' 'Strategies','Enterprise and Growth' etc etc etc!! In here you will find plenty of material to support your objections. These are the things that will influence the final decision by CE. The document looks complicated but just find the bits that support your argument and refer to them in your submission on the portal.
Enjoy your 'midnight reading' but object on the portal before 31 August! You have real influence and your comments are still vital to make sure that the community is front and foremost in this process.Presently there are over 250 comments uploaded. Let's make this 500 before the deadline. Remember, passionate comments supported by reference to the Local Strategy Plan (2010-2030) will be the only thing that will win the day. Good Luck!
WTC can only 'advise' CEC of their rejection recommendation.
Cllr A. McPake gave a good summary of rel planning Policies.
Lidl recently became the 5th largest UK supermarket, displacing Waitrose.
I am not a Lidl employee nor a team consultant.