Planners to approve new store
THE latest Aldi store in the city is set to be given approval, despite worries about the impact it will have on neighbouring roads.
Plans for Aldi to be built on the former Phoenix Estate on Caerphilly Road in Birchgrove have been already been announced. Now, a recommendation has been made for them to be approved.
The store would be open from 8am10pm Monday to Saturdays and 10am5pm on Sundays.
The single-storey building would face onto Caerphilly Road and a new junction would be created to access the shop. There would be 123 parking spaces and eight bike stands. It would create 40 jobs. It is expected two deliveries would be made by lorries a day using a facility at the rear of the building. The supermarket chain will have to pay £3,000 to change the road rules around the site. They have also been asked to plant 16 new trees.
Heath Independent Councillor Fenella Bowden has objected to the scheme. She says that the proposed new entrance/exit will “create additional strain on an already complicated road layout”. She said there will be a loss of eight parking spaces which are not due to be replaced.
“The layout to accommodate the introduction of a fifth lane on Caerphilly Road for cars wishing to enter the site means another adjustment to the road layout for the bus lane”.
There have been 74 letters in support and 10 objections.
Some of the concerns are that there are already a number of supermarkets in the area and the infrastructure cannot cope with more traffic.
In support, people say it will create healthy competition and jobs.
An objection has been sent by the Pegasus Group on behalf of the Co-op. They say they predict a 10% change in trade which will in turn affect other retailers.
They say the plans are against local and national planning policies.
However, planning officers say the plans have been amended due to concerns and that the design of the building and new plans for access are appropriate for the site.
The report concludes: “The amended building design and site layout is of good quality and, together with a landscaped public space at the site frontage, will create a distinctive place”.