Aldi tries again in Oldham

Plans for a site at the Broadway Green business park in Chadderton have been redesigned by the retailer following refusal in February.

Despite a recommendation to approve from planning officers, Oldham’s planning committee rejected Aldi’s quest for full consent for a 19,400 sq t store off Foxdenton Lane, a hybrid application that also included an outline bid for a 3,230 sq ft commercial unit.

The site’s allocation for employment use in the adopted local plan was the reason for refusal. Aldi’s proposed site sits within the proposed Broadway Green logistics/manufacturing park.

Working with Lexington Communications, the supermarket group is now asking for feedback on reworked proposals for the site.

Among the changes are a revised layout, with loading bays moved away from neighbouring properties, additional acoustic fences and visual screening, along with more considerate lighting and extensive landscaping. The core element of a sales area of around 14,000 sq ft within the building remains the same.

Aldi also said the store could act as a catalyst to the business park, which will bring further jobs to the area. In itself, the store will being 30-50 jobs. The plans include 124 parking spaces, including four electric vehicle charge points. The Harris Partnership is Aldi’s architect.

The company said: “We had previously brought forward plans and have listened to local residents. As such, we have redesigned our proposals to take onboard the feedback we received.” Comments are invited until 26 May.

Broadway Green is an industrial-led development by FO Developments, a joint venture between Seddon and Grasscroft Property.

The project is billed as a 39-acre scheme offering logistics/industrial opportunities of up to 400,000 sq ft close to Junction 20 of the M62 and Junction 21 of the M60.

Planning advisor Avison Young, in its covering letter with the initial Aldi application, argued that business park sites benefit from an element of retail use, pointing to Harworth Estates’ Logistics North as an example.

The online exhibition boards on Aldi’s consultation website also promote heavily the benefits of an incoming store for the local community, saying the new foodstore “will encourage people to stay local, providing a boost to the town”.

The closest Aldi stores to the site as things stand are at Sisson Street, Failsworth; Eastway, Middleton; at Gateway Retail Park, close to Oldham town centre.

Lidl and Tesco had objected to Aldi’s original plans.

Aldi’s proposal includes 124 parking spaces. Credit: consultation documents