Last Updated on 15 March 2021
The supermarket chain, Lidl’s, are proposing a redevelopment of their UK headquarters at 19 Worple Road opposite Sainsbury’s. In addition to offices on the upper floors, the new building would include a supermarket on the ground and first floors.
We consider that the proposed block would be too high, too close to residential buildings at the rear and too close to Worple Road (thereby removing the opportunity for greening the foreground).
We think that it is not necessary to demolish a relatively recent building when the Council’s draft new Local Plan prioritises retrofitting and re-use before destruction and rebuild. The process of demolishing the existing building would create lorry loads of debris polluting our town centre streets.
We also think that the plans have not taken into account the traffic involved in supplying the new supermarket. Deliveries need to be made in a way that is safe and causes little disruption to other town centre users, whereas the plans envisage large articulated vehicles reversing from Worple Road into a narrow opening in the site.
Our letter of objection has been sent to the Council and you can read it here.
