Budget supermarket set to be loser in Birmingham store wars

Plans to build a low-cost supermarket next to a giant Asda store look set to be rejected by Birmingham councillors.

Budget chain Aldi has applied for planning permission to construct a new store on land off Old Horns Crescent in Great Barr – next to the entrance of the Asda facility.

However, the proposed development has prompted widespread criticism and looks set to be rejected by councillors at a meeting of the city’s planning committee on Thursday.

Planning officers have said the development would be unsightly and lead to loss of trees and open space.

The proximity to the existing Asda is not a material consideration, however, objections have been raised by residents – and supported by local councillors and MP Khalid Mahmood – about the extras traffic that could be generated at an already busy junction.

The application is intended to replace a previous proposal submitted last year which was eventually withdrawn after refusal was recommended.

The main changes between the current proposal and the application withdrawn are: a widening of the landscaping strip along Queslett Road, an increase in tree planting from 16 to 23, a reduction in car parking capacity from 86 to 81 spaces, a widening of a footpath within the site and various other matters.

Aldi has proposed the clearance of the site then the cutting and filling of the land in order to level the site so it can support a new 1,140m² supermarket with associated car parking.

A new vehicular access would be created on Old Horns Crescent and this would act as the only entry/exit point for vehicles.

Aldi has said the new store would create 24 full-time and 20 part-time jobs. Opening times would be 8am to 10pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Three petitions have been received by the city council, containing 273 names – all objecting to the development.

Reasons given include: increased traffic congestion, parking problems, loss of trade to smaller shops, a detrimental impact on Queslett Nature Reserve, loss of amenity for residents and loss of open space and trees.

Case office Wahid Gul states in his report to the committee: “The proposed development would have an adverse impact on the basis it would lead to the loss of open space; lead to the loss of an important ecological asset, would lead to the loss of a woodland and TPO trees and is supported by information that lacks critical information to make a satisfactory assessment of the impact of the proposal on the safety and free-flow of pedestrians and motorists.

“The proposal would also have an adverse visual impact as a result of its design and layout. When these impacts are viewed against the context of detailed planning policy set out through this report, I conclude that they outweigh the economic benefits and therefore that planning permission should be refused. When these impacts are viewed against the context of detailed planning policy set out through this report, I conclude that they outweigh the economic benefits and therefore that planning permission should be refused.”

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