Two store giants are set to go toe-to-toe again in Norwich after Lidl revived its bid to build a new supermarket that was fiercely opposed by Aldi.

Eastern Daily Press: The proposed site of a new Lidl store at Bishop Bridge Road, where the Value Car Centre is situated. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe proposed site of a new Lidl store at Bishop Bridge Road, where the Value Car Centre is situated. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Lidl is appealing to the Planning Inspectorate against Norwich City Council's decision to reject a store it wanted to open on Bishop Bridge Road.

The firm first entered plans for the store, creating 40 jobs, in 2014 but ran into opposition. Fresh plans were submitted in December and subsequently revised.

Rival superstore Aldi had objected and had called for councillors to turn down the plans.

Aldi had claimed Lidl's estimates over the new store's impact on other shops, including Aldi's own Plumstead Road store, were out of date, so the scheme should be rejected.

Aldi had also objected on highways grounds, including that there was 'insufficient consideration of weekend peaks', although highways officers had not objected.

But City Hall's planning officers, having considered a response from Lidl to those concerns, recommended that councillors approve the plans for a 26,296 square foot store.

AT the time, Labour member Chris Herries, who represents Lakenham, said she feared it would lead to 'traffic gridlock', but officers advised it would be hard to justify refusal on traffic grounds.

The application was refused and now Lidl has submitted fresh plans and an appeal against the city council decision.

In a planning statement it highlighted the fact that delivery of 50 new homes would not be forthcoming until 2023 'at the earliest'.

A spokesman said: 'After considering our available options and having since received 700 letters of support from the local community, we have appealed the original decision and have subsequently resubmitted our original planning application.

'Both the appeal and resubmission will be determined later this year. We remain confident that the area would benefit from a new Lidl supermarket, along with 40 new jobs and investment in the local community.'

The Value Car Centre currently occupies the site.