Lidl take action over lorries parking at one of its South Yorkshire supermarkets following complaints

A complaint was lodged to Doncaster Council’s planning department stating that HGVs were parked up overnight at the Lidl store, in Rossington, which could be seen from the gardens on Heatherfields Way.

The store, in response to contact from the council, installed an ANPR camera which would issue fines to any vehicle that stayed within the car park for more than 90 minutes.

A further complaint was sent to the council alleging parcel couriers in HGVs were also using the car park to rearrange and swap parcels collected from a nearby distribution centre.

It was reported that the activity occurred from approximately 7am and was not in accordance with conditions attached to the previously approved application for the store and car park.

After investigation, it was considered no breach of the approval had occurred. Deliveries were limited to one per day and occurred during the advertised opening hours.

Planning bosses said Lidl ‘had complied with the conditions’ with the installation of the ANPR, and the use of the car park by drivers was usually concluded with a visit to the store to purchase provisions for the day, as the drivers became customers prior to departure.

Bosses said advice was requested from the council’s legal section, who agreed that no breach of planning had occurred and Lidl had taken all necessary steps to prevent misuse of the car park and the case has been closed.

A spokesman from the planning enforcement team, said: “A complaint was received concerning the store’s car park, which was allegedly being used by contractors for overnight stays.

“The use of the car park for such an activity was having an adverse effect on residents of Heatherfields Way, whose rear gardens ran along the side boundary of the store.

“It was reported to be the area of the car park, which was being occupied by vehicles outside of the opening hours, and causing a disturbance for the homeowners.

“Lidl were contacted regarding this matter and through negotiation with the planning investigation, installed an ANPR which would issue fines to occupants of the car park that exceeded a stay of 90 minutes. The action taken by Lidl was deemed sufficient to close the case.”