Delay on Lidl store decision

A council meeting to determine proposals from Lidl for a new store in Airdrie due to take place on Monday was postponed due to an intervention by another supermarket chain.

The Advertiser reported last week how Lidl’s proposals for a store on the Burn Stewart Distillery on Carlisle Road had been recommended for approval, subject to conditions, ahead of the scheduled local authority meeting.

However, late last week it emerged that Tesco had made“late representations” that the council hasn’t had the opportunity to consider and the examination of Lidl’s application has been deferred until the next available meeting of the local authority’s planning committee next month.

Lidl say this is “a position we fully understand and we will respond in full and assist North Lanarkshire Council in any way we can to ensure this application is heard in the New Year”.

The supermarket chain’s head of property in Scotland, Gordon Rafferty, added:“we are promoting a new store at the Burn Stewart Distillery located on Carlisle Road, following submission of a formal planning application in August 2020.

“This store will create up to 40 new jobs for those living in Airdrie, as well as the wider North Lanarkshire catchment.

“The site, which is 1900 square feet and will have 187 parking spaces, will increase the choice of retail offer available in the local area, particularly for those within 10 minutes walking and cycling distance.

“Given this strategic location, we are confident that our store will provide an offer to many people who pass this site on a daily basis as they travel to and from work.”