Lidl gets the green light

Supermarket chain Lidl has been given permission from councillors to proceed with plans for a new store in Wishaw.

The company had applied for approval for a new shop, with a total floor space of almost 2000sqm, along with parking spaces, two electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle storage – with access coming from Heathery Road via a new roundabout.

North Lanarkshire Council’s planning department had recommended granting the application subject to various conditions, as although contrary to zoning designations in the local plan it was considered to be an “acceptable alternative use” of the site.

The council received three objections in relation to the plans but all arrived outwith the statutory timescales and were dismissed.

It was however noted that a number of revisions had been made to the original proposals, in line with recommendations made in a transportation assessment, and these changes also happened to cover many points raised in the objections.

It was therefore deemed that the plans contained“no unacceptable impacts for road and pedestrian safety”.

This new store will replace Lidl’s existing town centre location.

The plans will also see new jobs created in addition to the current employees.

In a report, council planners state:“In respect to retail impact and development strategy, the adopted local plan allows the opportunity to consider out-of-centre retail development, where impacts would remain within acceptable levels and an appropriate approach is used in terms of site selection.

“There isn’t a specific requirement for additional retail floor space within this area.

“However, it has been adequately demonstrated that the relocated and expanded Lidl store can be supported with only limited impacts on the town centre.

“Furthermore, the council has a vision for Wishaw town centre which would ultimately be to replace the existing site with residential development.

“While the town centre would experience a predicted loss of trade, this would largely be focused on competing national multiple retailers who are more likely to be able to absorb impacts from increasing competition.

“The potential impact on other independent town centre units is not considered likely to be significant, particularly as this is a relocation and fairly modest expansion of their current operation in Wishaw town centre.”