A new Lidl which was set to be built in a Nottinghamshire town has been rejected by councillors after opposition by rival shops and local residents. Plans for a Lidl supermarket, a drive-thru café, and 71 homes to be built on land east of Carlton Road and Blyth Road in Worksop were recommended for approval by planning officers, but were rejected by Bassetlaw District Council's planning committee on January 4.
The plans, which would have required the demolition of six and eight Blyth Road if passed, have been subject to a great deal of controversy for years. The destruction of these two properties, which are within a conservation area, has caused continued opposition from Bassetlaw District Council's conservation officer and from The National Trust.
The application was previously refused by councillors on December 9, 2020, due to worries it would negatively impact businesses already established in the town centre. In a report submitted ahead of the latest committee, which advised the project be granted planning permission, a Bassetlaw District Council planning officer said the development would result in less than substantial harm to the conservation area and bring social, environmental and economic benefits.
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However, the proposal was yet again rejected as members of the planning committee concluded it had the potential to adversely affect the vitality of the town centre. Councillors also expressed concerns over the possible negative impact on the conservation area and traffic in the already busy area.
A Bassetlaw District Council spokesperson said: “Members of [the] planning committee have refused planning permission as it was considered that approval of an out of town retail development, such as proposed by this application, had the potential to cause a significant adverse effect on the vitality and viability of Worksop town centre and could be harmful to future investment in the town centre.
"Members believed that a site within the town centre would be a preferred location. In addition, members were concerned about the demolition of two properties within the Mr Straw’s Conservation Area and the negative impact this could have on the Conservation Area. Another cause of concern was the increase of traffic around what is already a busy intersection and the unacceptable impact this would have on the surrounding road network.”
The proposal was opposed by Asda and the local Priory Centre shopping centre, who said the store could be built elsewhere and would detract from Worksop town centre. The public reaction to the project was divisive with 58 objections and 51 letters of support received, with objectors citing traffic, pollution, antisocial behaviour, and damage to a conservation site, while supporters cited the creation of jobs, the regeneration of an 'eyesore' site, and that a discount store was needed.
A planning document, submitted on behalf of Lidl said: "The site has previously been approved for retail development when it was granted planning permission for a new Tesco food store in 2011. However, since then, the most recent planning applications have been refused on three grounds; retail policy (sequential test & impact on investment) / heritage / highways.
"Lidl’s revised proposal picks up many of the points raised by the Council in the refusal and demonstrates their continued commitment to the site and Worksop. Lidl’s proposal will bring the site back into productive use, and do so with a scheme which greatly enhances the area, meeting both retail and residential needs."
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