New Aldi store in Lancaster gets go-ahead
A plan for a new Aldi supermarket near Lancaster University has been approved with reassurances over traffic chaos.
The application to build on green land at Lawson’s Bridge, Scotforth, and close to the A6, was approved by Lancaster City Council’s planning committee at its latest meeting.
Some councillors said university students will benefit from a supermarket offering cheaper products than some other upmarket retailers.
The Scotforth site is near a new housing estate being built by developer Northstone and university locations including the health campus.
The land currently has a ‘significant’ hedgerow running through the middle which would be lost with the new store development, but council planning officers said Aldi is proposing other planting at the site and other wildlife improvements elsewhere because of the hedgerow’s nature value.
Coun Alan Greenwell said: “What reassurance can we have about traffic on the A6 coming and going at the proposed new junction for this supermarket? Another supermarket junction elsewhere on the A6 has created havoc.”
Council planning officer Jennifer Rehman said: “A lot of work has been done around traffic assessments for this junction and for the nearby Northstone development. Lancashire County Council is satisfied with these plans and the vehicle flows north and south along the A6.”
Tom Fish, a councillor for the university ward, said: “I cycle in that area at the moment. I’m confident the cycle route will be satisfactory for the university but the A6 is really dangerous for cyclists. I also cycle through the new Northstone housing site and it’s okay there.
” think this Aldi will be good for university students, who can walk or cycle there. I think we should support this plan.”
Coun Paul Tynan said: “I can see this being attractive for students. There are students living in various places around this site but there’s currently no cheaper supermarket in the area.”
Various councillors asked the planning officer about footpaths and cycle routes to the new Aldi and along the A6, to Lancaster and Galgate, and traffic speeds.
Ms Rehman said a number of routes existed or were planned along with new crossings at the Aldi junction. An existing 40mph traffic speed limit on the A6 will be lowered to 30mph.
Eighteen objections to the plan had been received.
These questioned the need for a new supermarket or raised concerns about traffic, noise and flooding. However, there were also comments in support. Planning officers recommended the Aldi plan be approved.
Coun Greenwell said he liked the architecture designs for the Aldi building including timber cladding and glass. He said: “I have to say I’m quite pleased with this.”
In a vote, councillors backed the plan.