Green light for new Lidl on “derelict” school site – and shoppers can park for two hours

The 0.95ha site at the junction of High Street and Doncaster Road in Goldthorpe has stood empty for the last five years, following the demolition and relocation of Goldthorpe Primary School.

Home Bargains were given permission for a new store on the site in 2019, but the scheme did not go ahead.

Now, German discount giant Lidl will build a 1,979 sq.m supermarket, along with 110 car parking spaces to the front of the store.

The application was unanimously approved by members of Barnsley Council’s planning board today (July 26)

Councillor Trevor Smith told the meeting that the proposal will “bring people back into Goldthorpe,” and Councillor Neil Danforth added that the supermarket is “the best thing that’s happened to Goldthorpe for years.”

A report to members states that the applicant has “agreed to allow for two hours car parking, supporting linked trips between the site and the wider shopping area of Goldthorpe”.

Officers add that the scheme is “acceptable” from a highways perspective, following an assessment of the Barnsley Road Doncaster Road and High Street junction.

The report adds that although "there will be some exceedance in queuing along High Street at peak periods", "the increase is not severe".

"The proposed development, located within Goldthorpe District Centre would bring a currently vacant site back into use and secure a national retailer as an anchor store for the centre.