Supermarket plans on hold after widespread objections

PLANS for a new supermarket in Birmingham have been deferred by councillors following widespread objections from residents and the area’s MP.

Lidl had applied to Birmingham City Council for permission to demolish the Fitness First gymnasium and adjoining ten-pin bowling alley in Pershore Road, Selly Oak and replace them with the new store.

The store would comprise 2,408m² of gross internal floor area, with a 1,424m² net sales area.

The proposed store would comprise – lobby, sales area, two publicly accessible toilets, bakery area along with storage/warehousing, cash office and delivery area at ground floor, with a staff room/canteen; office and other staff facilities at first floor.

The store would be positioned along the site’s southern boundary, with the store entrance located on the corner of the western elevation fronting Pershore Road and the northern elevation fronting a 125-space car park.

While the proposals were recommended for approval, councillors said they had to heed the strong level of local objections.

More than 400 residents have opposed the move and they have been supported by Selly Oak MP Steve McCabe and local councillors.

They said they were opposed to loss of the two amenities, both of which served an important function for the local community.

They said the gym helped keep people fit and healthy and reduced the burden on the NHS.  

They said the gym was the only one in the local area within walking distance and alternatives such as those at the University of Birmingham or in nearby Kings Heath and Cotteridge were too busy.

They also said the 50 jobs at the gym and bowling alley were unlikely to be replicated at the new store.

Meanwhile, the loss of the bowling alley would deprive the community and an enjoyable – and relatively cheap – leisure facility.

Mr McCabe said the demolition of well-used leisure facilities was not in the interests of the local community, adding the gym was one of only two in the whole Bournville ward – the other being a specialist body building gym.

He also agreed with the residents that the area was already well served for supermarkets and there was no case for another, especially with a large Tesco already under development close by.

On a practical level, he said the store was also likely to increase traffic levels on what was already a busy road.