A new Lidl supermarket is coming to Lockleaze

A new Lidl supermarket will be built in Lockleaze after permission was granted by Bristol City Council.

The supermarket first secured planning consent for a store on Muller Road in March 2016. However, plans were put on hold last year when Lidl decided that it wanted to build a larger store at the adjacent old bus depot site.

At Bristol City Council’s development control committee on Wednesday May 16, permission for the store was finally granted after it was recommended for approval by council officers.  Construction is estimated to start on site within the next two months and it is expected that the store will open early next year.

In her statement which was included in the papers for the Dc Committee Lockleaze councillor Estella Tincknell wrote: “I broadly support the application for a Lidl store on Muller Road as it will enhance the offer of affordable fresh food for Lockleaze, which currently has a limited range of such outlets, and is likely to bring much needed employment opportunities.  At a time when a significant number of new homes and a new school are due to be built in the Lockleaze area, a better food retail offer is a high priority for many residents, especially those on limited incomes and with families to support. I was similarly supportive of the previous application for the store to be built on the  former Brunel Ford showroom site for these reasons.

“However, I am also concerned about the potential environmental impact  of this new application. The former First Bus depot site is much larger than the Brunel showroom and the applicant is seeking a greater area for parking (158 spaces) which is likely to considerably increase the number of cars travelling on an already congested road with the resulting impact on air quality.  Furthermore, Lockleaze is currently experiencing a significant amount of new development at a relatively fast pace, most of which will affect the Muller Road corridor since this is the main access route through the ward. It is therefore essential that this application is considered within the context of a strategic framework in which environmental and traffic impact as well as retail options are duly  considered.

“I would therefore like to ask that the following conditions are attached:

 1)      The applicant must demonstrate how they will mitigate the increased congestion on Muller Rd with an enhanced traffic management plan to include reduced car reliance and enhanced walking and cycling routes to the rear of the store towards Lockleaze.

2)      The applicant should offer a shuttle bus service to and from the Lockleaze estate at the top of Romney Avenue, which will not only enable older and non-driving residents to shop but will also encourage other shoppers not to drive to the store.

3)      Adequate mitigation in the form of enhanced landscaping and tree/shrub planting should be integral to the design to reduce the negative impact on air quality from increased traffic and improve the visual and environmental impact of the store.

4)      Consideration should be made in the form of a strategic framework of the wider environmental impact of this application on the ‘Muller Road corridor’ as a major arterial route through the city that is undergoing considerable further development.

 I welcome the opportunity for this committee to make a full assessment of the application in the light of these concerns”.

 The multi-million investment will see Lidl build a sustainable store with 1,325m² sales area and create up to 40 new jobs. The supermarket will also feature self-scanning checkouts, an instore bakery, a customer toilet, baby changing, electric car charging points and parking for both cars and bicycles. In addition, a new signal-controlled pedestrian crossing will be provided across Muller Road as part of the highway works.

 Commenting on the approval of the plans, Lidl UK’s regional head of property, Glen Stidever said: “We could not be more delighted to have received planning permission, and look forward to getting started on construction. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their patience, and continued support, following the revision to our proposals for Muller Road.

“The recently approved store represents a significant improvement to the previously consented application and will now meet the high demands of our customers. We very much look forward to opening our doors and offering our fresh, quality, great value products in the not too distant future.”

 Work is also progressing at Aldi’s new store at the former B&Q site on Muller Road. Speaking to Horfield and Lockleaze Voice about the store’s progress, a spokesman for Aldi said: “Work is progressing well at our new store in Horfield which will open in October. The new store will include our new layout, which ensures more in-store space for fresh, chilled and food-to-go ranges as well as simpler layouts, improved fixtures and brighter, wider aisles. “Once we’re open our new store will create up to 30 jobs. Anyone interested in applying can visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk.”