Dismay over supermarket expansion plans

A bid to expand both the store and car park of the Lidl on Warrington Road in the town centre will be deliberated by the council’s planning committee today.

Officers have recommended the proposals be approved with conditions set to help cut down on noise created by delivery lorries.

However, residents on adjacent Hall Street are hoping councillors will reject the plan because of the “horrendous” disturbances they are suffering.

Pensioner William Close told the Post: “The plans will mean the store and the delivery area will be moved closer to us and we’re already upset about the horrendous noise.

“Conditions are in place from when the store was built in 2003 for deliveries only between 7am and 11pm. But obviously that is quite early and late for some residents.”

The 74-year-old claims the delivery curfews are not always adhered to and residents’ complaints have fallen on deaf ears.

The plans reveal that supermarket bosses will have to build a two metre high acoustic fence to help cut down on noise pollution.

Mr Close added: “We simply don’t know if they will make any difference. We know a noise assessment was done.

“We will wait and see what happens at the meeting, you never know and we live in hope.”

The application was referred to the planning committee by deputy council leader Coun David Molyneux with six letters of objection submitted to the town hall for the committee to consider.

Planning committee members can opt to oppose the plans but rarely go against officer recommendations. The report states a “noise management plan” will be put in place to lessen the impact of new delivery area.

The budget store will increase by 469 sq m, resulting in a total of 1810 sq m, if the plans are approved.

The report reads: “It has been demonstrated that the proposals will not have a significant impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties.”