Aldi approved despite Lidl obstruction

A LAST minute objection from a supermarket rival failed to stop county council planners finding favour with an application for Aldi in Aberystwyth.

Ceredigion County Council’s development control committee delegated the final sign off for the application for a two-storey retail food store on Park Avenue, to corporate lead officer Russell Hughes-Pickering.

A last minute objection from Lidi was revealed at Wednesday’s (June 12) meeting which included reference to launching a judicial review if the application be approved.

Mr Hughes-Pickering said that officers were confident correct policy and procedures had been followed but further checks would be carried out if the committee agreed with the application.

There was unanimous support for Aldi’s plan for the former KwikSave site, which was a revised version of its 2011 permission that had included hotel accommodation, now considered unsuitable.

Cllr Ceredig Davies said: “This is an access into Aberystwyth, there’s much use made of this road and this area has been looking in a poor condition for some years.”

He added that he had heard no objections from residents and told members it was Lidl that made the “last minute” objections, saying “they are looking after their own interests.”

Aldi intends to provide 40 jobs at the store and Rob Jones, from the company, told the committee it hoped to have it open within the next 12 months.

There had been 31 letters of support and three objection letters received regarding the application.

Cllr Peter Davies added that the store would be a “huge boost not just for those in this part of Aberystwyth but the town in general.”

Natural Resources Wales had objected to the plan on flooding matters but officers felt the “strategic importance of the site, justifies the development coming forward despite the flood risk.”