Lidl appeals Stockport’s Cheadle Heath snub
The retailer’s plans to build a 21,000 sq ft store in Stockport’s Cheadle Heath Works were met with fierce resistance from councillors when the decision was made to reject the proposal in January.
Now, Lidl has decided to lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate as it attempts to overturn Stockport Council’s refusal – a decision made in line with officer recommendations.
Councillors saw fault in the application, submitted by Rapleys for Lidl, citing concerns over traffic, pedestrian safety, and the “necessity” of another supermarket in that location.
An appeal statement from Lidl argues Stockport Council’s decision to refuse the application was not justified, and that “the proposed development would respond to and sit sympathetically within its physical context”.
The statement added that development “would respect the positive character of the local area and urban form around Stockport Road”.
Lidl first lodged its planning application for the store in February 2023. Designs for the store by HTC Architects suggest an internal sales area of 13,500 sq ft.
Parking for up to 102 cars has also been put forward as part of the application.
Nick Harvey, regional head of property, Lidl, said: “We’re pleased to be progressing our plans for a new Lidl in Cheadle Heath with the Planning Inspectorate.
“Over 450 local residents signed our petition last year, highlighting the strong community support for bringing a Lidl to this site.
“This proposed store will offer local residents increased shopping choice, access to our high-quality, affordable products, and will create around 40 new jobs in the area. We look forward to keeping the community updated as things move forward.”
To view the application, use the reference number DC/087761 in Stockport Council’s planning portal. To view the appeal, use the reference APP/C4235/W/25/3368530 on the Planning Inspectorate portal.
Developments like this, whereby you have a single story box supermarket with 60% floor area for just parking (and peds actually need to cross the car park just to get to the shop) should be banned in urban areas. Change my mind.
By M I Grant
Heath not Hulme
By Anonymous
Thanks anon, this error has now been corrected. Regards, Charlie
By Charlie Valentine
To answer MI Grant, yes Aldi and Lidl do need to raise their game, and have versions of their stores that are natively mixed use and meet the street instead of being set back. That said, I’m not sure they are viable without parking, and thoughtful they are a real amenity for people on a budget.
By Rich X
@ M I Grant
I’m certainly not going to try and change your mind, I agree 100%. Developments like this, and similar proposals by Lidl near Chorlton and Rusholme, are awful and wasteful.
By Ian Hart
Do we really need another supermarket on Stockport rd?… there’s already a Lidl on councillor Lane… the traffic congestion is bad enough with Greggs opening, plus Morrisons & Aldi & Tesco in the rd… these so called people who make these rash decisions, never consider the impact of the surrounding infrastructure & what it would cause with the traffic, & pedestrians…total gridlock & mayhem it would cause… suggest you have a rethink, as all our trees & greenery which help the environment are all disappearing too fast… perhaps you should consider housing instead.
By Anonymous
Good luck. Hope it goes well.
By Cheryl
Why can’t this site be used as a brownfield housing site, plenty of retail already in this area
By Local resident
I agree with other comment. Store should be located at the frontage so easy for pedestrians to access. Car park to the rear.
By J
This should never go to appeal. The road is already dangerous enough.
By Gaz
There is enough stores in and around cheadleheath don’t need more build houses instead.
By Andrew
Definitely in favour
By Colindinnen
Come to North Reddish where you’re needed.
By Anonymous
There is no need for another supermarket in the area.
There ia an Aldi. Morrisons & a Tesco express.
The space would be better used for housing.
By Anonymous
This is a derelict site which has been out of use for several years, and is an eye sore on the area- why wouldn’t people want it to come forward? It is a much more walkable location for people who live on the adjacent housing estate backing on to Councillor Lane than the local Aldi or Morrisons – it will be well used. I am sure those who are objecting would end up shopping in the store.
By Anonymous
Anyone who lives in Cheadle Heath knows we don’t need anymore supermarkets let alone one near the the already very busy motorway Junction, the road is jam packed at the best of times. Why not keep deanprint building and encourage small manufacturing businesses providing decent jobs.
By An actual local
As someone that drives down this road everyday, this store would exacerbate existing congestion and cause traffic chaos. Mark my words.
By Anonymous
Anyone who says they’re in favour of this clearly won’t be directly affected by it! We live on the road and we see how dangerous it is daily without throwing another supermarket there!
By Gaz
I don’t know who is running Stockport Planning at the moment but some crazy decisions are being made. Allowing monstrous sized extensions in and around Stockport MBC but something that would serve the Community is seemingly denied. With the ever rising cost of food and essentials, bring on the competition, I say!
By Anonymous
Definitely in favour of this. Cheadle Heath is the most deprived area in the borough of Stockport and residents seem to like to keep it like it is. The councillors also like to keep it down and out because it makes their other areas look better.
It has been proven that the Greggs drive-thru did not increase traffic in the area. In fact, the place is generally empty most of the time.
By DL
Any investment in stockport is welcome more jobs more choice carnt see the problem
Shopping competition will only help keep price’s lower
By Anonymous
There’s are enough supermarkets in the area already, as well as Cheadle Village high street down the road, Try building some affordable housing for first time buyers instead.
By Ste Party
No, we don’t need another supermarket here causing even more congestion.
By Anonymous
If this goes ahead it will cause traffic chaos on an already congested route. It’s far too close to the motorway.
By Carol Stuart
I would like the new Lidl rather that than a decaying building that makes the place look like some where you wouldn’t want to live
By Deborah
We have more than enough supermarkets! We have roads that are dangerous already, due to the amount of vehicles that congest this area!! Why do we really need more of both? It is in the wrong situation and is definitely not needed!!!
By David
This would be a positive development in my mind due to my proximity to the site
By Anonymous