PLANNING | Aldi store and Northwich housing on CWAC agenda

A 13,500 sq ft Aldi store on the site of a former Mercedes-Benz dealership and a 70-home development in the centre of Northwich are to be discussed by Cheshire West & Chester’s planning committee on Tuesday, both with a recommendation for approval.

The Aldi store is planned to be built at the roundabout junction of the A5480 Countess Way and the A540 Parkgate Road, and will provide 13,500 sq ft of retail space alongside 96 car parking spaces.

Designed by The Harris Partnership, the single-storey building will replace the existing Mercedes-Benz showroom on the site. JLL acted as planner for Aldi on the scheme.

The store has been recommended for approval by planning officers despite objections from Upton Parish Council, who said the scheme would “add to existing traffic congestion problems”. Neighbouring Tesco and Asda stores also objected to the development.

Planning officers said there was “no evidence that a significant adverse impact on existing [retail stores] would occur” if the new Aldi goes ahead, and said there was “not a robust reason” to refuse the application on highways grounds.

Aldi’s planning application also received more than 50 representations in support of the proposals from local residents.

Also recommended for approval is a 70-home development proposed by Galliford Try Partnerships in the centre of Northwich.

The proposals, designed by Pozzoni, include a four-storey building housing 54 two-bed and 16 one-bed flats for over 55s, alongside a café at ground floor level.

The site on the corner of Watling Street and Chester Way sits alongside the River Dane, and currently houses a two-storey county council office which is now vacant. This will be demolished to make way for the scheme.

A number of objections have been raised to the proposal, including criticism of its design, which was said to “fail to respect the local character of Northwich”. The application was called in to the planning committee by local councillor Sam Naylor due to design objections.

However, planning officers said the scheme “provided an appropriate design and scale of development” for the area.

Planning officers also argued the project would have “significant regeneration benefit” and considered it to be a sustainable development for Northwich.

Cheshire West & Chester’s planning committee will meet on 5 December.

Galliford Try’s development in Northwich has been designed by Pozzoni