Aldi has hit out at Sefton Council over a proposed development in a Merseyside town.
Aldi first revealed plans for the multi-million-pound store in January as the discount supermarket launched a consultation with local residents about the scheme, at Moss Side in east Formby. The supermarket wanted to take over a former garden centre site close to the Formby bypass, revealing plans that could fill a gap for discount food provision in the area.
Aldi has now hit out at Sefton Council after "withholding their support" of the development. Britain’s fifth-largest supermarket claims the proposed scheme will "breath new life" into Formby.
The site is technically part of the greenbelt, which Aldi said it recognised was a “sensitive issue”. The site itself is brownfield and has been most recently used to house scrap cars with existing planning consent for residential development.
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A spokesperson for Aldi said: "After an extensive search spanning several years, no alternative sites in Formby have been found to be suitable. The proposed site, despite its previous development and non-conventional classification as Green Belt land, falls under the Green Belt category. Unfortunately, Sefton Council officers are currently withholding their support due to its designation and not acknowledging the site's previously developed status."
If approved the proposed development would replace the site's existing access from Moss Side with a new signalised access junction on Formby Bypass and provide improvements to pedestrian and cycle connectivity from Formby to the site and nearby countryside.
Bryn Richards, Real Estate Director for Aldi, said: "We're thrilled with the level of support that has been sent to Sefton Council and would like to express our appreciation to everyone who took the time to share their views.
“The local demand for a discount food retailer is evident, and we firmly believe that this previously developed site is the perfect location for our store. In addition to serving the community's needs, the proposed scheme would create approximately 40 local jobs and enhance pedestrian and cycle connectivity from Formby to the site and the surrounding countryside."
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “All planning applications, regardless of the applicant or nature of the development, are assessed in detail and measured against a number of important considerations. Sefton Council is currently in the process of reviewing this application and a formal decision will be issued in due course.”
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