Lidl plans for Atholl House
Store would bring 40 new jobs
Proposals have been submitted by retail giant Lidl to build a new store on the site of Atholl House.
Bulldozers tore down the former headquarters of East Kilbride Development Corporation at the end of last year after owners Ediston Opportunity Fund were granted a warrent by South Lanarkshire Council.
Community groups were up in arms that the landmark was reduced to rubble with calls for it to be transformed into much-needed homes – although Ediston insisted the building was in too much disrepair for this to be a feasible option.
However, new applicant Lidl say if granted, the supermarket development would be a multi-million pound investment in the town and bring 40 jobs.
Developer Ediston previously locked horns with South Lanarkshire Council when an application for a supermarket, believed to be Asda, was refused for the site.
The developer appealed the decision but lost after a public inquiry was held by the Scottish Government in 2014.
Lidl confirmed they exchanged contracts on the Churchill Avenue site with Ediston last month.
Head of Property for Scotland, Gordon Rafferty, said: “We are delighted to announce that we have submitted a planning application with South Lanarkshire Council.
“If granted this would mark a multi-million pound investment in the area, and the creation of new jobs when the store opens.
“We are due to hold a public consultation to give the local community the opportunity to review our proposals and provide feedback, details of this event will be advertised in due course.”
The plans are for a 1,988m² store with state of the art facilities including an in-store bakery, customer toilets and ample parking for both cars and bicycles.
A store in East Kilbride would add to Lidl’s existing store portfolio of 670 in Scotland.
But community stalwart, Joe Allan, who gave evidence at the public inquiry on behalf of East Kilbride History Society, believes there is still no need for a retail development on the site.
He said: “I don’t see any more of a case for a retail development on the site now than there was three years ago.
“I still object on the grounds myself, and indeed the local housing forum, believes the site should be used for homes, including social housing, which there is a desperate need for.
“Also, there is the possible detrimental impact on the traders in the Village and indeed the town centre and the knock on effect of extra traffic and noise to people who live nearby.”
Pauline Elliott, Head of Planning and Economic Development at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The council has received a planning application for a retail development on the Atholl House site, however it has not been registered as a formal application as yet as additional information is required.
“Once the planning application has been registered, the statutory neighbour notification will take place, the application will be advertised in the local press and the plans will be available to view on the council’s Planning Portal.”
A decision on the application is expected in the next six months. 130916atholl_02