Out-of-town Aldi store gets go-ahead despite objections
Rivals claimed that the town centre will suffer as a result
PLANS for an Aldi store have been approved despite the concerns of established rival supermarkets and councillors.
The discount retailer has been given planning permission to develop a food store on the southern edge of Lutterworth, near the Whittle roundabout.
Councillors on Harborough District Council voted to allow the firm to build the store, creating 40 jobs, despite objections by Waitrose and Morrisons, which already have established stores in the town.
Waitrose argued the Aldi, in Rugby Road, would suck £4.72 million of trade each year from the town centre, where it has a store.
Aldi disputed the figure, suggesting it would be £2.85 million.
Morrisons has also warned of the impact on town centre trade.
Nobody from Waitrose or Morrisons spoke at the planning meeting.
However Lutterworth town counwould cillor Paul Beadle told committee members: “The addition of a further food retailer will have the effect of either stealing trade from existing food retailers or bringing custom in from a wider area.”
He also said any additional traffic would use the busy A426, which already had air pollution problems.
Councillor Beadle said: “Both Morrisons and Waitrose have indicated trading will be adversely affected, with Waitrose suggesting they could end up trading at 32 per cent below company benchmark if this scheme goes ahead.
“Inevitably, at both stores this could result in staff reductions or even potential closure, meaning any employment net gain in the area will be removed.
“The negative effect of this will be overwhelmingly felt by the residents of Lutterworth and it is the view of the town council this is the wrong place for this development.”
Lutterworth East district councillor Martin Sarfas also said he was concerned about how the store affect existing traders, who themselves raised traffic concerns, given plans for 2,750 homes nearby which would need major road network changes.
Aldi’s regional property director, Robin Williams, said the store would broaden the shopping choice for residents of Lutterworth and help them if they are on tight budgets.
He said: “The proposed store will create about 40 jobs at a time they are really needed.”
He said Aldi had looked for town centre sites to open but not found any that were suitable, and argued an out-of-town store would not have a negative impact on town centre trade.
He also said there was support for the plan among residents.
Committee members acknowledged concerns raised about traffic – particularly about how it would affect vehicles entering and leaving the nearby St John’s Business Park on the other side of Rugby Road to the site.
However, they voted by one to approve the scheme. eight to