Aldi says it will bring 50 jobs to retail park
ALDI has resubmitted plans to move into soon to be vacant units within Farnborough Gate Retail Park.
After having withdrawn a planning application to move into the site on the day of a Rushmoor Borough Council development management committee meeting on January 15, the discount supermarket is again proposing to replace the neighbouring Halfords and Next Clearance units.
Plans have been made for units 2A and 3 to be refurbished, amalgamated and converted into the discount food store with an adjoining cafe.
Work is currently ongoing to relocate Halfords into the unit currently under construction in the shopping park, while Next Clearance will be closing and relying solely on the Next at The Meadows in Sandhurst.
To negate concerns over parking, which is already an issue, and traffic backing out to the Bradfords Roundabout and A331, Aldi is proposing to widen the vehicular access to provide twin exit lanes.
An initial planning application had been recommended for refusal by council officers, but a second application has now been made.
Aldi says it withdrew due to the council requiring further consideration over highways issues and a possible alternative site within the town. However, the supermarket has resubmitted an identical application, including the Solartron
Retail Park. It adds that the store would bring 50 new jobs and investment to Rushmoor in excess of £2 million.
Other sites, including Solartron, Kingsmead and the Civic Quarter, have all been considered by Aldi, but concerns have been raised over the viability or suitability of each.
Councillor Mike Smith, Conservative for Empress ward, raised concerns about the plans and the effect an Aldi would have on traffic and parking. He said: “It is a very popular store, but there would be much better areas of Farnborough for it to go that would not cause chaos. It would be welcome in any reasonable spot, but not there. At the moment, it is a very tight situation and access is difficult.
“It is already an issue now and it would attract that many more motorists to the area. I would suggest looking at the new civic centre. They could ensure themselves on the new Farnborough town centre. It would be ideal and residents have already said to me they would love to see it.
“I would welcome it anywhere else in the town, it is a popular store and I would shop there myself. I speak for any resident that they welcome it, but we need to look at the bigger issue.”
However, Aldi has said that a move to the site would provide the local community with access to affordable produce, benefit the local economy and improved consumer choice.