Aldi looks to stop Lidl opening new Norwich store

The proposed site of a new Lidl store at Bishop Bridge Road, where the Value Car Centre is situated. Lidl has been refused permission to build a store on the site. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Lidl's proposal for a store in Bishop Bridge Road, close to Ketts Hill roundabout, sparked objections from people living nearby, with concerns over traffic and the impact on homes.

And rival superstore Aldi has also objected and is calling for Norwich City Council's planning committee to turn down the plans.

They claim Lidl's estimates on the new store's impact on other shops, including Aldi's own Plumstead Road store, are out of date.

A letter sent to the city council by Aldi's solicitors states: 'It is respectfully submitted that there is clear evidence to suggest that the application should be refused on retail impact grounds.'

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

And City Hall's planning officers, having sought a response from Lidl to those concerns, are recommending that councillors do approve the plans for a 26,296 square foot store.

Plans were originally lodged in 2014, but ran into opposition. Fresh plans were submitted in December last year and were subsequently revised.

The number of parking spaces has been cut from the originally proposed 145 spaces to 120, while another revision is that the building would have a roof of grass, to address concerns about views from Ketts Hill and nearby.

The Value Car Centre, which currently occupies the site, would move to another city site if the Lidl store goes ahead.

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