Plans for new Lidl in Warwick approved

A new Lidl store has been approved on Warwick’s Emscote Road after councillors were told that it wouldn't be as busy as an Aldi supermarket.

Plans to replace the existing Homebase with a branch of the cut-price shopping giant were rejected last year due to increased traffic concerns and the lack of sufficient parking.

But at this week’s meeting of Warwick District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (February 3), councillors were told that the applicants had supplied additional information regarding traffic and the county council’s highways team were now happy for the development to go ahead.

Dave Pilcher, from Warwickshire’s highways department, explained: “At the committee meeting 11 months ago, the county council had done counts of discount supermarkets which gave a more accurate view of trip generation across that type opposed to your Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

“In our discussion with Lidl and their agents, it was established that the trip rates from Lidl are quite a lot lower than from Aldi.

"So by using the combined trip rates we were being a bit harsh on them. When we use the Lidl only rates it does reduce the impact on the highway network.”

Councillors did have concerns that four trees in the centre of the existing Homebase car park would be lost and replaced with others around the perimeter of the site, a matter that also prompted objections from the county council’s landscape officer and neighbours.

John Sullivan, who lives in a retirement complex next door, told the meeting: “My main concern is for the future of the trees within the car park.

"May I point out the aesthetics of those trees to the inhabitants of Lakeland House?

"Our only connection with the natural world is the trees - we all have a view of them and the few birds we have would disappear leaving us with emptier lives.”

Cllr Jerry Weber (Lab, Leamington Clarendon) added: “Residents have for many years looked on to a car park and the trees are a relieving element to quite a stark view."

But he added that there would be some advantages with councillors being told that up to 40 jobs would be created.

He said: “I think the idea of having a much smaller, more attractive building than the huge monster that Homebase was will be a benefit to the local community.

"It is a shame that the trees have to go but we’ve been assured that there are safety reasons and it’s not because of the developer trying to swipe out some greenery.”

Councillors voted overwhelmingly to approve plans for the new store