Jobs boost as Aldi and Lidl plans submitted

An artists impression of the proposed development at Capitol Park, which will include and Aldi and a B and M

Both well known chains are looking to create jobs, with a major expansion in Balby for Lidl, and a new out-of-town store off the M18 for Aldi.

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The Aldi development is part of a scheme on Capital Park, Thorne, which also includes a B and M store, with a garden centre attached, and two drive-through fast food takeaways. Developer Quora says it will create a total of 150 jobs.

The Lidl scheme, at Sandford Road, Balby, is set to create new jobs under plans to build a new, bigger, store on an existing site and demolish the current shop that is there.

The scheme at Capital Park sees Aldi take over a plan that had initially been earmarked for a Tesco store.

But Tesco pulled out of the scheme last year when it announced a programme of store closures.

The detailed planning applications for both schemes have just been submitted to Doncaster Council.

In the statement accompanying the application, Quora said the benefits of the scheme would include the creation of more than 150 new local jobs, bringing a long-term cleared development site in to a beneficial economic use, increased choice and competition within Thorne, a high quality, contemporary designed building and multi-million pound investment.

The firm said that both Aldi and B and M were committed to the scheme and the remaining units were expected to be filled quickly once planning permission was in place, if not before.

The statement said: “In January 2015 it was confirmed that Tesco would not be pursuing the redevelopment of this site.

“This left a vacant brownfield site in a prominent location without an investment opportunity. These new proposals will enable the redevelopment of this prominent gateway site in to Thorne from junction six of the M18 to come forward.”

The shared car park includes 245 vehicle spaces including seven parent and child spaces, 16 disabled spaces, two motorcycle spaces and 16 cycle spaces.

Quora wrote to more than 2,200 local residents and businesses and held a community consultation event, which they said showed 97 per cent support for the plans.

Ben Ellis, director at Quora, said: “We are delighted with the interest from members of the local community and would like to thank all of those who attended our exhibition or filled in feedback forms. Quora are looking forward to investing in the site and have secured the necessary tenants to take this forward.”

A spokesman for Aldi said: “We are fully committed to bringing a new foodstore to Capitol Park and the residents of Thorne. We are pleased that the proposals have received backing from the local community and look forward to opening a new store in due course.”

Thorne Council leader Martin Williams said: “I think this will be great for Thorne. We would be pleased to see the 150 jobs. I don’t think it will have a negative affect on Thorne town centre, as there is already a Lidl and a Sainsbury’s on Field Road. It may bring people in from further afield.”

DPP Planning, which is proposing the rebuilt and expanded Lidl store in Balby, said the plan was to replace the existing Lidl store on the northern portion of its site with a larger store in the southern part, using additional land. This would allow space for improved customer parking.

The firm confirmed it would create new jobs in the store through the expansion.

Sunningdale Road will be widened at the junction as part of the scheme, which would have 143 car parking spaces.

Subject to receiving planning permission Lidl aims to have the new store open in early 2017.