Amended plans to build a Lidl supermarket and Wickes DIY store have been submitted after a long-running wrangle to transform a derelict site in Long Eaton. The former industrial site, off Nottingham Road, has been derelict since 2014.
Plans originally put forward by Lidl and Clowes Developments in 2018 were refused by Erewash Borough Council, on the grounds that other preferable sites hadn't been considered and it could have an adverse impact on the vitality of the town centre. There were also concerns it could harm the appearance of that stretch of road, which was once home to Stadium Industrial Park and Long Eaton Trade Centre.
Shortly after the plans were rejected, Lidl said 298 local residents had written to them saying they wanted the development to go ahead. The rejection was overturned on appeal in 2020, with the planning inspector saying the two stores would only divert a small proportion of trade from Long Eaton town centre and that the town’s retail was “robust enough” to withstand the impact.
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Since then the proposals for the 1.68 hectare site have been revised and will go before the Erewash planning committee on October 12. The proposals include a change in the shape of the Wickes building, from square to rectangle, with the addition of a mezzanine floor for displaying kitchens and bathrooms, with customer seating, interview areas for the design team and toilets.
The new design has prompted amendments to the layout of the development, service yard and car park. There would be 165 parking spaces - 55 fewer than originally approved - and additional landscaping.
The plans state: "In the context of the buildings already approved, the increase in the width of the Wickes store would not materially alter the impact on visual or residential amenity arising from the development. The changes proposed ensure the proposals are more responsive to the requirements of the retailers which are driven by customer demand. The development will create a viable, attractive and welcoming commercial environment which is well designed and laid out within the context and constraints of the site."
The new supermarket would create 40 new full and part-time jobs and approximately 26 new full and part-time jobs at Wickes. Clowes has been working closely with the council's senior planning officer in a bid to make the amended proposals successful.
Marc Freeman, the development director at Clowes responsible for delivering the scheme, said: "We have also received support from local residents who are excited to benefit from the proposed retail offering."
Workers are currently on site constructing access from Nottingham Road under the original consent which will help to expedite the delivery of the proposed scheme if approved. If given the green light, the stores should be ready to open in 2024.
"It would regenerate a prominent site in Long Eaton that has been redundant for a number of years which will benefit the local community," added Mr Freeman.
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