Lidl Redcar: Supermarket chain gains permission for new store on racecourse land

The food store is being built on land at Redcar racecourse, off West Dyke Road, currently used for horse box parking, provision for which is being relocated. Forty jobs are due to be created, although the company has not yet given a timescale for the build and when the new outlet might be up and running.

A spokesman said: “We are delighted to confirm that Redcar and Cleveland Council has approved plans to bring a new Lidl store to Redcar on West Dyke Road. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far and helped make our plans a reality. We will be sure to keep residents updated on our development and look forward to joining the community in Redcar.”

Thirty four objections from the public were received to the proposal, although 26 further representations were supportive. The scheme was amended during the planning process and was due to be discussed at a regulatory committee meeting in November, only to be removed from the agenda at the request of representatives of the company. The original plans envisaged the gross internal area of the building would be 2,275 square metres, but this has been shrunk down in amended plans to 1,895 sqm.

Meanwhile, the number of car parking spaces has been increased from 118 to 126. In its submission to the council, Lidl said the number of car parking spaces was designed to ensure the site would meet maximum demand and prevent overspill onto adjacent streets. Council planners said the supermarket would not have a significant adverse impact on the vitality or viability of Redcar town centre, or other local centres.

There would also be “no overbearing impacts” on nearby homes on the opposite side of West Dyke Road due to sufficient separation.

An assessment showed there would only be a minimal impact on the local highway network and that existing junctions would be able to cope with any resultant traffic.

An improved access road in roughly the same location as the existing access point in and out of West Dyke Road will be built as part of the plans. The new Lidl will be a relative stone’s throw away from the existing Tesco supermarket and petrol filling station further along West Dyke Road. The store will contain a bakery, and warehouse area and also comprise customer toilets, staff welfare facilities and associated office space.

Other Lidl stores currently operating and the nearest to the proposed location are in Guisborough and Middlesbrough’s Cargo Fleet Lane.

Councillor Philip Thomson, a member of the regulatory committee, said some residents living in nearby Easson Road were worried about additional traffic that would be generated. He also said he queried the exterior finish of the building, in response to concerns from residents, and said there would be consideration given to the use of materials to see if they could be more in accord with the surrounding area.

Coun Thomson said he believed the new store could open at some point next year.

A report for councillors, which recommended approval, said: “The proposal would not have a significant adverse impact on neighbour amenity and the proposal raises no issues in terms of highways safety or crime prevention. The scale and design is acceptable and the proposal would respect the character of the site and surroundings.

“The submitted information and analysis has confirmed there are no sequential preferable sites and that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the existing town centre. As a result the development of a food store outside of the designated centre is acceptable. In terms of economic benefits the proposal would create up to 40 new employment opportunities and would increase retail competition and improve consumer choice with the potential to reduce food expenditure for local residents.”