Bolton refuses plans for Aldi in Horwich
Despite being recommended for approval by officers, the council’s planning committee voted to reject plans for a 20,000 sq ft store close to Bolton Wanderers’ stadium.
Aldi’s hopes of building a store at Paragon Business Park in Horwich were dealt a blow last week when Bolton Council rejected its plans due to concerns about increased traffic in the area.
Members voted unanimously to refuse the plans against officer recommendations.
Rival retailers Lidl and Tesco had raised objections to the project. Among them was a claim that Aldi had failed to carry out a full sequential test – the process of analysing other sites near by to see if there are sequentially preferable locations for the proposed development.
During the preparation of its application, Aldi identified and discounted six potentially preferable sites, including one within the 1,700-home Rivington Chase masterplan.
To learn more about the project, search for reference number 13158/22 on Bolton Council’s planning portal.
How generous of Aldi and Tesco make all this effort for the good of the local community.
No doubt they will be happy to chip in to help out Bolton Council when Lidl wins on appeal and the bill for costs turns up at the Town Hall?
By Anonymous
Thank goodness for common sense by the council. Surely Tesco, Asda and M&S are enough for the area. Horwich needs less traffic not more….
By Jeff Smith
More anti growth and prosperity from a local council-
No problem such as congestion can’t be overcome with some planning and ambition-
The loss of 40 jobs and more consumer choice is reason to give this scheme and every scheme the green light
By Stuart wood
Once again, Planning Committee going against the judgement of planning professionals. This will go to appeal, will be overturned and the costs will be given to the authority. It really doesn’t help when planning committees are packed full of NIMBYS.
By Anonymous
@ Stuart Wood “No problem such as congestion can’t be overcome with some planning and ambition” – oh and money. Who pays?
By Lumberjack
Sorry, got supermarkets wrong the round way…
The traffic objections from Lidl and Tesco really are disingenuous though – the Aldi site accessed from Chorley New Road is much more likely to be used by local residents and staff walking there or using the bus than Middlebrook where big Tesco is, which is really unpleasant for anyone not in a car. There isn’t even a Lidl nearby at the moment, so if they are currently sitting on a local site, it will be interesting to see how it is any better.
By Anonymous
Aldi (NOT Lidl) will appeal as the refusal was by the Councillors and NOT the Officers. Another example of well meaning amateur Councillors not listening to their own professionals and over riding them
By Paul Barton
Good for the council traffic is busy round there
By Robert Sinclair
There’s no need for another supermarket here, there’s already an Asda, Tesco, M&S and Home Bargains in close proximity. The traffic at the Beehive roundabout is already bad enough without adding unnecessary vehicles.
By Nick
As a customer, I prefer Aldi to any other supermarket. There is a big choice of products at affordable prices. If the worry is traffic, then take Asda down. There is no need to have a food supermarket inside the Middlebrook area. Paragon Business Park is a perfect spot for Aldi, close to Tesco.Also, having it here, would ease the traffic on Chorley New Road leading to Horwich, which is always packed due to loads of new builds in that area and Aldi in Horwich. I hope Aldi will appeal and get a permission asap
By Anonymous
I know the Aldi centre aisles are a bargain hunters dream but does that really lead to additional traffic in the area save for the workers and deliveries, is it not a case of existing local consumers in the area just choosing to drive somewhere else??
By Mr N Imby
Correct decision as the traffic near the Bee Hive roundabout is bad enough already and there are enough supermarkets on the Middlebrook Retail Park.
By Anonymous
We collectively grumble about the UK’s stagnant economy and yet we are always finding reasons to prevent the private sector investing to increase competition and choice.
By Rich X