Long awaited plans for a new Lidl store in the heart of Alexandria have taken a further step forward, with Scottish Water and Historic Environment Scotland both giving the proposals the green light.
The supermarket giant has been targeting a move to the Vale for almost a decade, with proposals taking a major step forward in November as they applied for planning permission.
If approved, the new store would feature a 1,251m sales area “that represents a multi-million pound investment in Alexandria” according to chiefs. It would create around 40 new jobs and would also feature facilities including an instore bakery.
And late last month both Scottish Water and Historic Environment Scotland said that they had no objections to the proposals.
A letter sent by the water board says: “Scottish Water has no objection to this planning application; however, the applicant should be aware that this does not confirm that the proposed development can currently be serviced.”
It adds that there is currently capacity at Ardoch and Alexandria water treatment works to service the store; but that this could only be confirmed when a formal application is submitted.
Historic Environment Scotland reporter Martin O’Hare said, having reviewed the plans, he “would advise that it appears unlikely to raise a substantive archaeological issue.”
Mr O’Hare adds: “It is also the case that the area as a whole has been fairly heavily disturbed by redevelopment during the late 20th century, which will also have had a detrimental effect on the survival of subsurface archaeological material.
“Given these factors, I would consider the potential for the development of the site to affect significant subsurface archaeological material relating to occupation pre-dating the 19th century to be too low to warrant the attachment of a condition to any consent that the council may be minded to issue.”
Meanwhile a transport assessment indicates that Lidl expects the new store to attract 103 new private vehicle trips to the area at peak times; with 52 of these passers-by, and 51 new trips solely generated to visit the supermarket.
Lidl has been a key part of £12m plans to transform the Vale’s run down town centre - with demolition works on the eyesore Mitchell Way shopping precinct and the renovation of the town’s iconic Smollett Fountain also on the agenda.
However Lidl’s plans have been criticised by community figures; with the new store to be built at the back of Mitchell Way on Bank Street, with fears it will divert more people away from the struggling Main Street.
In November Janice Ross of the Vale of Leven Trust said: “We’re not saying no to Lidl, that’s fine.
“The issue is where it is. All they are doing is continuing to extend the town centre - to the detriment of the other traders.
“It feels like that approach of doing something rather than nothing. But no thought has been given to if this something is what the Vale needs.”
The proposals took a big step forward in August as West Dunbartonshire Council agreed to hand over the dilapidated Mitchell Way site to the German budget supermarket.
SNP member Jonathan McColl asked for a more detailed report on the proposals to be brought before members, saying: “Officers should outline why this is a good deal for Alexandria. We are essentially giving this piece of land to Lidl for free.”
Council leader Martin Rooney said he didn’t see the sense in delaying the development any further and that once Lidl was built, the council would look for a housing developer to work on residential properties in the heart of the Vale.
Lidl GB’s regional head of property, Gordon Rafferty, said: “If planning permission is granted, the new store would mark a multi-million pound investment in the area, and the creation of new jobs when the store opens.
“We would like to take the opportunity to thank the Alexandria community for their participation in the consultation process.”
