Aldi prepares for permission for Scotforth store
Lancaster City Council has been recommended to approve the retailer’s pitch for a 19,800 sq ft store, which has superseded a decade-old application from Booths, a rival supermarket.
The 4.3-acre plot in Lawsons Bridge sits within the Lancaster South Broad Location for Growth area, just beyond the existing designated urban boundary for Lancaster.
Subject to planning approval, Aldi intends to start work on the new food store in late spring 2026, with completion due in summer 2027.
Designs have been compiled by The Harris Partnership, a long-time collaborator with Aldi.
Access to the store would be taken off a new signalised junction off the A6, where cars will have 136 parking spaces to choose from.
Aldi expects to create 40 FTE jobs during and after construction.
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A spokesperson for Aldi said: “We’ve worked closely with the council officers and other parties during the planning process and are delighted that there are no objections from statutory consultees.
“We have made substantial changes to the design of the store following comprehensive feedback from residents and council officers.
“We are hopeful that our plans for a new Aldi store in Scotforth will be approved in line with the officer’s recommendation by members of the planning committee. The site is ideally located for a development of this type and is much needed in the area.”
The site benefits from long-standing planning permission. Credit: via planning documents
Over the past year, Aldi has been expanding its offer across the North West. Most recently, the retailer received permission to build a £12m store in St Helens.
Last month, a store was approved in Wigan. In September, Aldi pitched a £9m Upton branch, and in July, set up shop in the vacant Ordsall Morrisons unit off Trafford Road.
Avison Young acted as the planning consultant on Aldi’s behalf.
The application can be viewed on Lancaster City Council’s planning portal using the reference number 21/00987/FUL.
Yet another out of centre, car-centric supermarket set in a sea of car-parking which misses the opportunity to have residential development above.
We have to do better.
By Build Baby Build
“which misses the opportunity to have residential development above.”
My dude, they’re literally building a housing estate next door to it and all the way down to Galgate. Also this benefits people in South Lancaster since the only local supermarket is Booths which is not wallet friendly.
By Anonymous