Planning inspector rejects Aldi’s appeal

Aldi’s plans for a new store on Old Horns Crescent in Great Barr have been rejected by a government planning inspector.

Aldi were appealing the decision made in February 2017 which turned down their original application to build in Great Barr.

The German supermarket’s new store would have been sited near the edge of the Queslett Nature Reserve, but strong local environmental objections have won the day.

Planning Inspector Hayden Baugh-Jones ruled that the proposed development would cause sufficient harm to the area that it could not be allowed.

One of his chief concerns was the loss of trees on the site which he said made a “positive contribution to the local environment.”

Aldi’s plans included chopping down 64 mature trees and the loss of other local open space.

The poor design of the overall site so its back faced the dual carriageway on Queslett Road was another reason for the plan’s rejection.

Baugh-Jones said in summing up: ” Whilst the proposal would provide a number of benefits, these would not, either singly or collectively , outweigh the clear identified harm to the area’s character appearance through the unacceptable design of the development and the loss of protected trees.”

Local councillor, Keith Linnecor said: ” I regret that it had to come to this and Aldi could not compromise to address the concerns of local wildlife enthusiasts.”

One of those local enthusiasts, Brenda Wilson of the Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve was more explicit in her views and added: ” I very much hope this is the last time we have any dealings with Aldi wanting to build in Old Horns Crescent.”