Aldi is hoping to build a new £5m store on the edge of Lutterworth

Aldi is hoping to build a new £5 million superstore on the edge of Lutterworth – and create dozens of jobs.
How the store might look.How the store might look.
How the store might look.

The German-owned discount food giant wants to set up shop on fields off Rugby Road near the busy Sir Frank Whittle roundabout.

The fast-growing company has now submitted a revised planning application to Harborough District Council as it bids to press ahead with the ambitious 40-job scheme.

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Aldi has filed the new rejigged blueprint after months of high-level talks with council planning officers and outside experts.

The booming company is acting after the district council has received objections from a number of local people as well as rival retailers and Lutterworth Town Council.

Aldi has moved to improve the proposed access and “further mitigate any potential impact on the River Swift flood plain”.

“The finished floor level of the food store is now above the 1 in 1000-year flood line.

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“And the new development area is outside of the flood zone 3B area.

“The store has been carefully designed to respect the surrounding area and will include extensive landscaping,” said an Aldi spokesman.

“Since first announcing our plans for a new store in Lutterworth we’ve been encouraged by the level of local support.

“Our plans would see Aldi invest £5 million into the local economy, create around 40 new jobs and bring much-needed competition into the town.”

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He said that Aldi, which boasts over 835 stores in the UK and 10,000 outlets in 20 countries, will continue to liaise closely with the local authority.

“We remain committed to working with the council and other consultees on this updated scheme to bring Aldi to Lutterworth and improve food shopping choice in the town,” he said.

He said Aldi staged a public exhibition in December 2018 inviting views from people living in Lutterworth and the surrounding area.

“Nearly 80 per cent of respondents said that they supported a new Aldi food store in this location.

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“Harborough District Council will determine the application, with a decision expected to be made in the coming months,” said the Aldi spokesman.

“Anyone who would like to find out more about Aldi’s proposal for Lutterworth can contact a member of the project team on the Freephone information line number - 0800 298 7040.”

A Harborough council spokesman said that a planning application for the “erection of a Class A1 Food Retail Store, with associated car parking, servicing and landscaping” (ref:19/00646/FUL) was initially made last April.

He said that “several revised plans” have since been submitted by Aldi.

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They include the “relocation of the store and a reduction in floor area and parking to respond to issues raised during the application consultation period (including around flood risk and highway matters)”.

The spokesman said further consultations have since taken place on the amended plans throughout the long process.

“There are a number of representations received which have been received from local residents (objections and support) and from other retailers (objections).

“Lutterworth Town Council objects to the proposal,” he said.

Harborough council’s planning committee is now set to study Aldi’s latest initiative at a meeting this spring.

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