LIDL GIVEN GO-AHEAD
New store green light by 1 vote margin
A discount supermarket was given the green light yesterday to build a multimillion pound store on the site of the former Atholl House – by just one vote.
Despite pleas by Labour councillor Joe Fagan and Independent councillor Jim Wardhaugh – who put forward an amendment to reject the latest plans – Lidl’s proposals were approved by 11 votes to 10 at a meeting of the council’s planning committee in Hamilton.
The company say their new East Kilbride store, to be accessed from Churchill Avenue, will create 35 jobs.
But Councillor Wardhaugh has described a supermarket on the site as “the final straw” for a number of small traders in the Village.
He said: “For 30 years we have had trader after trader having to give up in the Village and this will be nothing but detrimental to The Village and the town centre.”
Proposals for a superstore on the site had been turned down by South Lanarkshire Council on a number of occasions following applications from the owner of the site, Ediston Opportunity Fund, who lost a public inquiry in 2014 after the local authority refused an application in 2013.
A supermarket chain was given the green light yesterday to build a multi-million pound store on the former Atholl House site in East Kilbride — but by just one vote.
Councillors rubber-stamped an application from discount retailer Lidl at a meeting of the South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee
An amendment from independent councillor Jim Wardhaugh to refuse the application was defeated by 11 votes to 10 in favour.
The East Kilbride East councillor described the move as the “final straw” for small traders in the nearby Village while Labour councillor Joe Fagan, who isn’t on the planning committee, said applications for a retail development on the site have previously been refused for “good reason”.
The retailer say the 1,988-square metres store would bring 35 jobs to the town and include an in-store bakery and ample parking for both cars and bicycles.
It comes after owners of the site, property developer Ediston Opportunity Fund, previously failed to secure planning permission for a supermarket, thought to be Asda — despite several applications to South Lanarkshire Council since 2010.
They took the council to a public inquiry in 2014 but the council’s decision to refuse permission was upheld.
Bulldozers tore down the former headquarters of the East Kilbride Development Corporation at the end of 2016 after Ediston were granted a warrant by the council.
Forty-three letters of objection, including from East Mains Community Council, on behalf of themselves and Village traders and a petition with 22 signatures were submitted following the latest application.
Addressing yesterday’s planning meeting as an objector, Councillor Fagan (East Kilbride Central North) said: “This is the latest attempt with all previous attempts failing — in my opinion for good reason. I and many of my constituents still believe this is not a suitable site for a retail development.”
East Kilbride Housing Forum called for the site to be used for affordable housing.
Owners of EK, East Kilbride, Orion, also objected but the report before the committee concluded that Lidl’s requirements couldn’t be met within units currently vacant in the town centre.
Concerns were also raised about the increase in traffic and congestion near the site which is close to St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School and close to a residential area.
Access to the store will be from Churchill Avenue.
Councillor Wardhaugh said: “There are 1000 kids coming out of St Andrew’s and St Bride’s and heading towards the town centre and Village every day.
“The road is dangerous enough without this.
“And it is 100 yards from the Village and 150 yards from the town centre and this can only be detrimental, particularly to the Village which is predominately small independent traders.”
However, there were 38 letters of support for the plans which council officers concluded would not adversely affect the Village and town centre enough to warrant refusal.
The report to councillors states: “It is considered that the quality of retail offer that Lidl provides will enhance the retail offer within the town.
“Development on this edge of centre vacant site will enhance the environment on approach to the town centre and promote footfall generating uses that can encourage linked trips to the town centre.
“The proposed scale of the foodstore is considered acceptable, and allows for existing landscaping to be retained and takes into account surrounding residential amenity effects.”
I still believe this is not a suitable site for retail development...