Highways & Access

Lidl has listened to feedback from residents about the junction and the results of a Road Safety Audit, and has made amendments. It is proposed to signalise the site access/Skircoat Road/Heath Road cross roads, which will also include pedestrian crossing facilities. Traffic lights will be synced to the wider system to ensure traffic flows as freely as possible. There will also be a pedestrian refuge in the middle of the site’s access junction. A Transport Assessment (TA) has been prepared that considers existing traffic flow on the surrounding network, trip generation anticipated to be created by the development and any mitigation measures required as a result. For robustness, the TA considers that 80% of shoppers who visit the store during the morning and afternoon peak hours are already on the road network travelling elsewhere and will divert into the store. In reality, in this location, the vast majority of trips would be pass by traffic during peak periods. For example, during the weekday morning peak hour (8am-9am), 65 vehicles will enter the Lidl store, of these, only 13 are likely to be new trips. For the coffee shop, only 8 vehicles entering the site will be new trips. In addition, the site is in a highly sustainable location with a bus stop close to the store entrance and is within easy walking distance for many local residents.

In summary, the TA shows that the proposals will not have a significant adverse impact on the highways network.

Retention of mature trees

All the mature trees along the Skircoat Road boundary are being retained, with the exception of one small tree to be removed to accommodate the pedestrian access point. The amended proposals include more new trees and landscaped areas than before.

Design

Some respondents raised design as an issue given the proximity to the Conservation Area and being opposite residents. Lidl has listened to this feedback and amended the store design to include natural stone on the store elevations to be more in keeping with the local characteristics.

Requirement for a Lidl supermarket

The proposed Lidl will provide residents with more choice and access to affordable shopping locally. The Tesco Express serves residents for ‘top-up’ shopping and the proposed Lidl store will provide residents with a weekly shopping option. Lidl stores tend to compete with other like for like supermarkets, rather than local shops and convenience stores.

Residential amenity

Some residents raised noise disturbance from the coffee shop customers late at night and Lidl store deliveries. The coffee shop has been chosen because its opening hours reflect those of the Lidl store rather than some other uses which would be open much later. The design and position of the store mitigates against noise disturbance for neighbours. The vast majority of delivery operations are enclosed by the building, reducing noise impacts. There is one HGV delivery per day, with waste being removed on the return journey.