Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
It’s a Lidl bit of good news on the jobs front
An application to build a new supermarket on a warehousing site in Airdrie has been given the go-ahead.
Lidl’s proposal to construct a 1900 square-metre store, plus a drive-through restaurant and a further retail unit, at the former Distell International site on Carlisle Road was unanimously agreed by councillors at this week’s virtual meeting of North Lanarkshire’s planning committee.
The new supermarket – to be located at Craigneuk Avenue, beside Airdrieonians’ stadium – is set to create up to 40 full- and part-time jobs and also includes plans to widen the A73 and create a new junction to access the store, including a right-turn lane from the main road, pedestrian crossing and relocation of two nearby bus stops.
Lidl officials welcomed the councillors’ decision, thanking the local community for supporting their application, and say their new branch will open “in the not-toodistant future”.
Regional head of property Gordon Rafferty told the Advertiser: “We are delighted with the outcome of the planning committee which will allow us to expand our footprint and deliver a new store at the distillery on Carlisle Road.
“With this convenient location, we’re confident that our store will provide an excellent offer to many people who pass this site on a daily basis as they travel to and from work, as well as the growing local population.
“The store will increase the choice of retail offer available in the local area, particularly for those within walking and cycling distance, and create up to 40 new jobs when open.
“I’d like to thank the local community for their continued support, and we very much look forward to opening our doors.”
The new supermarket will include a bakery and 187-space car park, while details of uses for the other two proposed buildings will be confirmed through future planning applications. Formerly known as Burn Stewart, the site has been used as a distillery site for three decades and is being vacated by Distell over the next two months, following the opening of their new £15 million warehouse in East Kilbride.
Lidl’s planning application was originally due to have been determined last month but was delayed to allow for consideration of a late objection from Tesco, warning of “the likelihood of a significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Airdrie town centre”.
The application had earlier received eight representations described as coming from “local residents, Monkland Glen Community Council and Morrisons in the town centre. One was in support, two neutral and five objections”.
Issues raised included the impact on the busy road and congested junctions in the area, with the suggestion that a new roundabout is required to serve Carlisle Avenue and South Biggar Road, plus the inclusion of the drive-through facility, pollution, use of the warehouse site rather than existing retail zones and the accuracy of the retail impact assessment on other stores.
However, councillors agreed with planners’ assessment that “the development would not have a significantly adverse impact on the area where it is located, or on Airdrie town centre.
“[It] can be justified as an acceptable outof-centre retail proposal. The likely impacts remain within reasonable parameters; [and] the development will ensure additional retail provision and employment opportunity in the Airdrie area.”
The granting of planning permission was formally proposed and seconded respectively by local councillors Michael Coyle and Jim Logue.
Airdrie South representative Councillor Coyle said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity, creating jobs – and it’s going to be great for that area, especially as people have been seriously affected by coronavirus and have been on furlough.
“Having investment coming to that area, right next to Craigneuk, Petersburn and Gartlea, is a great thing and it gives people from that area, who live within walking distance, a chance to access shops more easily than trying to get to the centre of Airdrie.
“I’m over the moon that we’re working together to get more investment in Airdrie and it’s reached this stage, and I think it will have a great impact for people.”
North Lanarkshire leader Councillor Logue, who represents the neighbouring Airdrie Central ward, agreed: “The Covid-19 pandemic has made the need for local employment greater than ever, and this will be a much-needed shot in the arm for the local economy.
“I’m especially pleased that we will be continuing the council’s strong working relationship with businesses such as Lidl as we try to recover from the devastating impact that Covid has had on residents, businesses and the public at large.
“North Lanarkshire was one of the fastest growing economies in Scotland before the pandemic and a multi-million pound development such as this can only help as we seek to re-establish ourselves as the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.”