New Dudley Road Aldi gets go-ahead

The supermarket will be built on the former site of the well-known Bronx works in Dudley Road.

Councillors approved the plans,which also include a car park with 120 spaces, after receiving more than 100 letters of support from residents.

At a meeting Councillor David Vickers described the new supermarket as a 'great facility for Lye'.

While Councillor Keiran Casey said: "This land needs to be refurbished.

"And the proposals have had a lot of support from local people as well as the backing of Dudley council.

"In my opinion, it is only bringing positives to Lye, in the fact that a good number of jobs are being created and as a supermarket in the area, it will boost the economy."

Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Mohammed Hanif has also welcomed the support for the supermarket and said he hopes it can be a 'catalyst for the town.'

He said: "Lye has been looking for a major store to come in for a number of years," he said.

"This is a piece of land that was not going to be used for much else.

"It also does not affect Lye High Street which we want to ensure is kept thriving.

The council however had received objections to the store, that heavy traffic and access for neighbouring businesses would be affected.

More than 80 people turned out to view the multi-million pound plans at a consultation event in April last year.

The plans went on display for members of the public at Lye Town Football Club on Stourbridge Road.

Feedback was then used by the developer to submit a planning application.

Aldi is soon starting work on creating a supermarket on the site of the former King Arthur Pub, off Birmingham New Road, in Dudley.

Plans have also been revealed for a store to be built in Great Barr, which would create around 40 jobs.

Bronx Manufacturing Co. closed its factory on the site in 2009 after the company went into liquidation.

This fate followed 70 years based in Lye.

And well known stationary manufacturer Helix pulled out of its offices, and once thriving manufacturing plant, in nearby Engine Lane four years ago.

Helix closed its manufacturing plant a decade ago following a 50-year presence at the site, moving production to the Far East.