Planned new Lidl in Walsall set for refusal
A controversial plan to demolish a hotel and bar on a gateway into Walsall to make way for a new Lidl store is set to be thrown out.
The discount supermarket giant was looking to secure it’s third permission in a row for a new store in Walsall on the site of the Metro Inn and Broadway Bar site on Birmingham Road.
But members of Walsall Council’s planning committee are being recommended to refuse the application amidst a number of concerns including highways safety and impact on neighbours.
A report to next Thursday’s meeting said 111 objections had been received for reasons including the loss of the bar, hotel and jobs, a failure to take into account the ongoing Sprint Bus scheme works and an increase in traffic.
Some also raised concerns about road safety, impact on wildlife, the new store potentially resulting in the closure of the existing town centre one, increased crime and impact on neighbours.
Ward councillors Waheed Rasab and Gurmeet Singh Sohal had also voiced opposition due to worries over traffic congestion, the site being an unsuitable location and health and safety issues.
The authority did receive 10 letter of support for a new store which people said would create new jobs, be an improvement on the appearance of the hotel, meet a local need, reduce anti-social behaviour and be a good use of the site.
But the report said: “On balance, whilst the development would make use of a previously developed site and is acceptable in principle, the impacts arising in relation to highway safety, neighbour amenity, character of the area and impact upon trees on site are unacceptable and there are no material planning considerations in support of the proposals that would outweigh this harm.
“It is therefore concluded that this application should be recommended for refusal.”
Lidl said a new outlet would improve customer choice for shoppers in the area and provide 40 full time equivalent new jobs.
Earlier this year, the company was given the green light to take over the struggling Horse & Jockey pub in Walsall Wood and replace it with a new branch.
Lidl was also given permission to build a new store on Walsall Road, on the town’s border with Sandwell, while an application for an old Bingo Hall site on Park Lane in Darlaston is also currently being considered.
