Supermarket planned for ‘eyesore’ town centre site

Discount supermarket chain, Aldi, wants to build a new store in Driffield town centre.

It has applied to East Riding of Yorkshire Council to develop the store at the former Cattle Market site in Eastgate South.

If it wins consent, the building would cover 20,000 sq ft, employ about 40 staff and feature 121 parking spaces.

Part of the application site is currently in use as a public car park and part is derelict land following demolition of buildings associated with the former cattle market. The cattle market was forced to close in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak.

Aldi’s proposals have been submitted in parallel with a full planning application made by Gatsby Group to demolish No 12 Exchange Street to create a new vehicular and pedestrian access and construct a new public car park on the site next to the Aldi scheme.

The new car park would replace the existing Eastgate car park and provide 105 spaces.

A planning statement submitted as part of Aldi’s application notes: “The proposed development brings economic and social benefits. A new Aldi store represents significant investment which creates new jobs for local people.

“This size of store usually requires up to 40 full time equivalent staff.

“In addition, the construction of a new store will require the services of local building trade contractors which provides employment opportunities during the build out period.

“The proposed development is highly sustainable being well located to the existing shops and services in Driffield town centre.”

“The physical and visual appearance of the site has deteriorated over time and is an eyesore in the town centre. The proposal will physically and visually improve the former cattle market site.”