40 jobs set to be created as Aldi store plans get the green light

PLANS for a long-awaited

Aldi store creating 40 jobs are finally due to be approved this week - and shoppers can’t wait.

The retail giant beat off rivals Lidl to snap up the former Meadows Special School site, off Tunstall Road, Biddulph.

It has been lying derelict ever since the school burnt down more than 16 years ago, with the Meadows later relocating to a brand new building in Leek.

Now Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s planning applications committee is being recommended to approve the new development when it meets on Thursday.

The planning committee report states: “At the moment, Sainsbury’s provides an important main food shopping role as the only large food store in the town. The addition of Aldi would strengthen and increase the number of national retailers in the area.

“This would act as an anchor and increase the number of households shopping locally in Biddulph and, therefore, potentially lead to a retained number of shoppers supporting the traditional high street.”

An estimated 45 per cent of Biddulph residents currently shop out of town for convenience goods.

The planning application has had to be tweaked following an objection from James Bateman Middle School, which has a playing field next to the development site.

The school feared pupils would have to go on a 20-minute detour to access the field for PE lessons.

One option not taken up by the supermarket chain would have involved a land swap, with a new school playing field created and the store being built on the current green space.

Now a footpath has been extended on the southern side, near the St John’s

Road roundabout, so schoolchildren can use this route to access their sports facilities.

Meanwhile, Biddulph Town Council has called for a bus stop so the number 93 can serve the new supermarket. This is still being explored and could involve a one-way bus route leading into the site.

Andrew Heaps, from Hunters Close, Biddulph, said: “Everyone involved in this project should strive for a quick, positive result.”

Suzanne Noon, from Castle View, added: “Biddulph has been waiting for this for a long time. One hundred per cent behind this. Hurry up!”