Aldi plan approved despite objections from Tesco and Lidl
‘DUPLICITOUS’ CLAIMS WERE OVERLOOKED BY PLANNERS
PLANS for a new Aldi in Goole have been approved despite two rival supermarkets claiming it would sap trade from the town centre.
East Riding Council’s Western Area Planning Sub-committee passed plans for the Aldi, off Rawcliffe Road on Tuesday.
Tesco and Lidl, which both have stores in Goole with the latter also on Rawcliffe Road, claimed trade would be diverted and alternative town centre sites were overlooked.
But Aldi’s agent wrote to council planning officers ahead of the meeting claiming the objections were a duplicitous attempt to stall the application to protect their trade.
It comes as the plans were previously put on hold after the companies objected.
The supermarket chains claimed an alternative town centre site in Mariners Street had been overlooked when plans were drawn up.
They also claimed the amount of trade the Aldi would take from Goole town centre had been underestimated and the new store would undermine its high streets.
Tesco and Lidl claimed the site earmarked for development was not designated for retail use and it would benefit out of town shops, causing unsustainable amounts of traffic changing routes.
Council planning officers stated ahead of this week’s meeting their original assessments found the new Aldi would see Goole’s town centre largely unaffected and those assumptions remained sound.
Officers stated: “The assessment broadly reflects realistic shopping patterns, based on evidence available and the local circumstances of the site’s location.”
Officers added that council highways consultants had no issues with the plans despite Lidl raising concerns over access for delivery vehicles.
A total of 102 comments supporting the plans were sent to the council, stating it would create jobs and attract people to Goole.
Cllr Nick Coultish, Western Area Planning Sub-committee vice chair and Goole North ward member, also spoke in support of the application.
Jamie Pert, of Planning Potential acting on behalf of Aldi, wrote to the Council stating there were no policy grounds for supermarkets to object to protect their commercial interests.
Planning documents stated the store would cover more than 1,800sq m internally on undeveloped land north of Rawcliffe Road, or 1,880sqm including its car park.
They added the new store could create up to 35 jobs.
Documents also stated there would be 118 parking spaces, including two for motorbikes, seven for the disabled, ten for cycles and seven for parents and toddlers.
They added the plans amounted to a comprehensive and coherent development.