Discount supermarket given permission for new store despite objections

COUNCILLORS have backed down on threats to refuse plans for a new supermarket in Birmingham after planning officers said there were no grounds to reject the scheme.

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 application had attracted widespread opposition from residents, many of them opposed to the loss of improved amenities in what is a relatively deprived area.

Others said they were concerned about an increase in traffic at a busy junction close to the site of the store.

Councillors on the city’s planning committee had initially said they were mindful to refuse the proposals – mainly due to the loss of amenities.

However, when the scheme was reassessed planning officers said there were no grounds on which to reuse the scheme and if the plans had been rejected then they stood a good chance of being overturned on appeal.

Lidl has also proposed a series of measures to overcome objections to the likely increase in traffic in the area as a result of the new store.

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 also 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.

Rival Aldi has submitted plans for its own store less than a mile away. It is proposing to redevelopment the Magnet retail warehouse in Pershore Road, once the retailer relocates next year.

This application has yet to come before the city planners.