Councillor Warns New Lidl Could Impact Stockport Neighbourhood Disastrously
Plans for a new Lidl supermarket in Stockport have raised serious concerns among local officials and residents. Cheadle Heath Works, located on Stockport Road, is the proposed site for this development. A local councillor has warned that the establishment of this supermarket could have disastrous consequences for the neighborhood.
Council Refusal and Appeal Timeline
The planning application for the Lidl site was initially rejected by councillors in January. Subsequently, Lidl lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in the summer, challenging this decision. The new planning application was set to be discussed at a council meeting in December, but the decision was postponed.
Local Concerns Over Traffic and Congestion
David Meller, the councillor representing Cheadle East and Cheadle Hulme North, expressed his fears about the potential impact of the supermarket on local traffic. He stated that the site could exacerbate existing traffic issues on Stockport Road. Meller suggested that converting the area into housing would better manage traffic flow, as it would reduce the number of vehicles entering and exiting the site.
Community Feedback
Stockport MP Navendu Mishra has also voiced concerns from constituents regarding the Lidl proposal. He noted that the area already suffers from heavy traffic, particularly near the M60 slipway and Roscoe’s roundabout. Residents worry that additional traffic from the supermarket would worsen congestion during peak hours.
Objections to Planning Tactics
Mishra criticized Lidl for allegedly using unfair tactics to garner support for its proposal. He pointed out that there are already multiple supermarkets in the vicinity, questioning the need for yet another one. Meller echoed these sentiments, describing how a postcard campaign aimed at gathering local support appeared to distort the true sentiment of the community.
- Initial application refused: January
- Lidl’s appeal lodged: Summer
- Planned council meeting: December (postponed)
- Cllr David Meller’s stance: Housing would be a better alternative
- MP Navendu Mishra’s remarks: Concerns about traffic and congestion
As the planning appeal progresses, it remains to be seen how these local concerns will influence the final decision. The community actively awaits a resolution to what many consider a crucial issue for the neighborhood’s future.
