£12m Aldi scheme approved, despite late outbreak of ‘store wars’

A new development by supermarket giant Aldi has been passed by Liverpool City Council, despite a late outbreak of ‘store wars’.

The scheme, on Speke Hall Road, in the South Liverpool area of Speke, has a total investment value of more than £12m and will create in excess of 100 jobs.

The Aldi proposal is for a 1,800 sq m store, which will generate 40 jobs, as well as a 600 sq m business unit, a drive-through coffee unit, and a petrol filling station which will initially provide eight charging points for electric vehicles, with capacity to increase that to 20 when viable.

The site is the former home of a tea factory, which has lain derelict since 2002.

Aldi’s property director, George Brown, said in a presentation to the council’s planning committee today (August 17) that remediation costs alone for the site will be £750,000.

The scheme has attracted 187 letters of support from local residents and businesses, and five objections. Among these were supermarkets Morrisons and Asda.

Council planning officers revealed that Asda had also submitted further objections on the morning of today’s meeting, alleging legal errors in the council’s planning report to the committee.

However, the committee voted unanimously to approve the development.

Addressing councillors, George Brown, of Aldi, said the application had been “challenging”, but added: “This brings a very significant improvement to the local environment and will sit as a statement of investment into the city.

“The proposal is unquestionably a good news story and a show of faith and investment in the city of Liverpool.

“The scheme regenerates a brownfield site and a key arterial route into the city with a total investment value of over £12m and has seen 187 letters of support.”

Committee chair, Cllr Tony Concepcion, concurred, saying: “This is a good news story and good for the city of Liverpool. Investment and jobs are always welcome.”