Plans go in for Lidl store and senior living scheme in Wetherby

Lidl GB and Springfield Healthcare have submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council for a new supermarket, care home and senior living accommodation on the Mercure Wetherby Hotel site.

The Lidl store would be accompanied by an 84-bed care home and eight senior living eco-homes for the over 55s, provided by Springfield Healthcare.

A spokesperson for Lidl GB said: “We are encouraged by the positive response from the local community with the majority of respondents supporting the plans and would like to thank everyone that has taken the time to send us their feedback. We have listened to feedback received and made changes to the plans where possible including the removal of the pedestrian access from Micklethwaite Grove.

“The store would provide improved and convenient shopping choice for the community and create around 40 new jobs for local people.

“We are delighted to be taking the site forward with Springfield Healthcare who we believe are the right fit for the development.”

Graeme Lee at Springfield added: “Creating care homes in the heart of communities is important to us and Wetherby will be no different. With sustainability at the forefront of our future business plans, the Wetherby site will be innovative and set to be an exemplar development within the sector. Due to the design and sustainability measures, the combined utility bills for the eco-homes will be minimal, which is vital in the current economic climate.

“We are pleased to be working with Lidl on this site and look forward to becoming a part of the local community in the future.”

The care home will provide around 120 local full and part time job opportunities once operational, and the Lidl store will create around 40 jobs.