Aldi submits plans for new store in city suburb
ALONG-RUNNING supermarket war in a Birmingham suburb has taken another twist after budget chain Aldi lodged new plans to open a store there.
The German group is hoping to build a new supermarket in Stirchley less than a mile from a site being eyed by rival Lidl.
This is in addition to the new Tesco project, in nearby Hazelwell Lane, work on which started earlier in 2016 after years of legal wrangles with other supermarkets also keen to open in the area.
Aldi has submitted new plans to Birmingham City Council to demolish the unit in Pershore Road currently occupied by kitchen firm Magnet, which is due to relocate in 2017, and replace it with a 17,000 sq ft, single-storey store with 83 parking spaces and creating 40 full-time jobs.
A report prepared by Stoas Architects in support of the application said: “In our view, the proposed development will strengthen the retail mix within Stirchley, increase food store provision and enhance consumer choice, and meet local authority sustainability objectives.”
Lidl is seeking planning permis- sion to demolish to the nearby Fitness First gym and neighbouring bowling alley, also in Pershore Road.
The application was thrown out by city councillors earlier this month after the authority received more than 400 complaints from local residents, mainly due to fears over traffic congestion.
However, this rejection is set to be overturned this week as Lidl’s application is due to go back before Birmingham City Council’s planning committee, with a recommendation to approve by officers.
Elsewhere in Stirchley, plans were approved in November to build around 100 houses at the former Arvin Meritor site, in Fordhouse Lane.
The plot, now known as Lifford Park, was also once the site of a supermarket war with applications by Asda dating as far back as 2001.
Asda was met with opposition from Tesco over the plans because of its desire to build a new store in Hazelwell Lane.