Steven Abbott Associates LLP wins planning appeal for Aldi
Steven Abbott Associates LLP (SAA) has won an appeal on behalf of discount supermarket giant Aldi.
The international food and drink retailer put forward plans for a new store and two non-food retail units in the Shropshire town of Whitchurch. But despite public support the Council’s planning committee quashed initial proposals on the grounds that Aldi had not provided adequate proof that no preferable site exists in the town centre, or on its edge.
Aldi appealed the decision and a full public inquiry was launched in August but adjourned until October. SAA worked with the chain’s property team to compile a compelling case, presenting both a quantitative and qualitative need for the proposed development and submitting direct responses to concerns raised with regards the location and its impact on the town centre.
Likewise, independent investigators Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners (NLP) - who were commissioned by the Council to assess the application - concurred with SAA that there was a strong argument for allowing the build and agreed that Aldi’s presence in the proposed location would not pose a significant threat to local business performance. They did, however, identify two town centre sites for further investigation but SAA conducted additional analysis to discount their viability which – backed by the substantial expenditure allocated for convenience stores to support the development – led to the decision being overturned in November 2009.
“The results of our assessment – which were backed by council officers, NLP and the Inspector – showed that Aldi will not have any harmful effects on local traders and that the site is the most preferable in the town for this type of development,” said Keith Jones, SAA Associate and principal representative in the Aldi appeal. “Overall we’re very happy that the Inspector backed all our findings and we’re entirely confident it was the right decision.”
Construction of the supermarket, the adjoining non-food retail units and associated improvements to the landscaping, service arrangements, highway and public transport is expected to commence in 2010.
For further information on Steven Abbott Associates’ extensive experience in promoting and securing planning permission on behalf of its national and regional retail clients. Click here to visit the retail section of our website.
Visuals provided by The Harris Partnership
(December 2009)
