Plans revealed to build new Lidl supermarket in Sheffield

Members of the planning and highways committee approved outline plans for a new Lidl and eight homes on the site of the former South Yorkshire Trading Standards, on Thorncliffe Lane, Chapeltown, last year.

The supermarket part of the development went before the committee again this week for a decision on plans relating to matters including car parking, servicing, landscaping and associated works.

Councillor Peter Price, member of the committee, said: “I can’t see any planning reasons at all to reject this application, chair. Particularly in view of the fact it’s already been here and we gave it outline planning permission some months ago. I just think it’s a foregone conclusion, I’m going to support the officers’ recommendation [to approve subject to conditions].”

The development will include a car park with up to 112 spaces for customers.

Updated plans for the store were slightly smaller than previously approved, it will have a 1,900 sqm gross internal area, which is 51 sqm smaller than before.

Keith Nutter, speaking in support of the application, said part of the plans included planting more than 45 new trees that over time will become a woodland area at the back of the store.

He said: “We have been working with Lidl to provide a development that will best meet their operational needs whilst respecting the amenity of residents that adjoin the site. As a result, we have now arrived at a detailed scheme which not only provides a positive re-use of the site, but delivers a development that is sensitive to the built environment within which it sits.”

There were two petitions against the original plans with a combined total of more than 300 signatures as well as 61 written objections which raised concerns about traffic, air pollution and noise.

There were also two representations submitted in support of the original plans, one which said a reasonably priced supermarket could help those on low incomes.

A total of 17 representations were made to the updated plans, which all objected. These were from local residents and Ecclesfield Parish Council commented saying they supported the residents’ objections.

They raised similar concerns as before, including about traffic, noise, air pollution and that the area already had a number of food shops.

Mr Nutter said a number of design elements were included in the plans to help mitigate things like noise, visual impact and lighting.

He added: “Our revised analysis confirms that the opening of the proposed Lidl store will not result in any significant adverse impact but will enhance consumer choice, bring back into use a long-standing, derelict site and create around 35 new jobs locally.”

Council planning officers said in their summary that the development would not have a significant impact on the “vitality and viability” of existing centres, it would provide safe access onto the existing highway network, a pedestrian crossing is also proposed and it would not cause significant harm to the amenities of adjacent and nearby residents or to the character of the area.