News Desk
Lidl wins town's battle of the German supermarkets 1 hour ago Imogen Lee Norfolk Lidl GB An example of what a new store in Holt may look like North Norfolk District Council has granted Lidl approval to build a store in Holt, off Nightjar Way, just off the A148. However, councillors turned down an application for an Aldi supermarket about 800 metres (0.5 miles) away on Old Station Way, due to "highways infrastructural concerns". The council received 228 representations from the public in relation to the Lidl plans, of which 186 were positive.
Councillors welcomed the prospect of 40 jobs coming to the town. More stories from Norfolk: New £38m jail wing adds 10 cells, not the promised 170 Holt rallies after devastating supermarket fire Most-capped England stars reunite at school Parish councillor Sandy Roper said visitors to Holt often see "our beautiful independent boutiques and affluent exterior, but many of us living here know a different truth". "End Child Poverty Coalition data shows that 30% of children in north Norfolk live in poverty.
Historically, our own ward data [shows] that Holt itself is a black spot, as the coalition calls it," she said. Roper added that "local access to affordable food is an absolute necessity". A supporting speaker, Marilyn Roberts, said that given the number of new homes being built in and around the proposed Lidl site, "it's difficult to understand how refusing planning permission would address the needs of the growing town".
A Lidl spokesperson said it would fill up to 40 new jobs and that the majority would be recruited from the local area. A representative for Lidl was at the meeting and said there would be solar panels on the new building's roof, EV car chargers in the car park and rainwater harvesting in place for reuse in the toilets. The council's development committee voted unanimously for the Lidl plans and unanimously against the Aldi proposal.
The council said work would begin in the coming weeks, with completion expected in "several months". Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.
Related internet links
Source: BBC
