Plans for new Lidl in Barnsley anger residents over ‘traffic, noise and pollution’ concerns

Developer DPP planning opened a public consultation into the plans in November, and have now submitted a full planning application to BMBC.

The 1,900sqm Lidl would be built on Sheffield Road, if plans are approved, and a new access will be created off Cross Keys Lane.

The new store would create 40 full time equivalent jobs once opened, with “hourly pay above the National Living Wage”.

If approved, the plans will include 107 car parking spaces, five disabled spaces, nine parent and child spaces, and two electric vehicle charging points.

A landscaping scheme which as been submitted as part of the plans, states that 74 trees will be removed at the site, and 29 trees will be planted to mitigate this loss.

A total of 24 responses were received by email during the public consultation – four in support of the scheme, 17 objections and three neutral or requesting further information.

Residents raised issues such as traffic congestion on Sheffield Road, Cross Keys Lane being too narrow for lorries, noise, air and light pollution, biodiversity impacts, loss of greenspace, flooding and parking.

However, planning documents conclude that following a transport assessment, “no existing highway issues have been found and theproposed development will not adversely impact on the efficiency of the existing network”.

The plans include upgrading the junction of Cross Keys Lane and Sheffield Road, as well as the widening of Cross Keys Lane.

Mitigation measures for noise pollution have also been proposed, including a solid timber fence, and an ecology survey will assess habitats on site and “what mitigation, if any, is required”.

The documents also add that the site is privately owned and is inaccessible to the public.

“There are also no public rights of way that run through the site,” they state.

Residents can comment on the plans until March 28.