Plans for new North East Aldi store which would create around 40 jobs set for decision
Plans for a new Aldi supermarket on Wearside creating around 40 jobs are set to go before city councillors for decision next week.
The Planning and Highways Committee of Sunderland City Council will deliberate on a planning application for a tract of land situated off Philadelphia Lane, nestled between Shiney Row and Newbottle, just north of Houghton, within the Copt Hill ward.
Previously serving as a bus depot before its demolition, the plot has become a focus for Aldi Stores Ltd, the discount retail chain which earlier this year forwarded a planning bid to erect a supermarket there.
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Key features of the plan encompass the construction of a "retail unit with associated access, car parking, hard and soft landscaping and associated works".
Proponents of the project have noted that the concept of a retail food shop had been acknowledged earlier with the grant of outline planning approval for the vicinity.
An underlying 'reserved matters' planning application relevant to this prior food store sanctioning remains undecided by the council, as cited in a planning report collated for the judgement of said authorities.
Distinct from this yet-to-be-concluded application is the one councillors are set to consider next week, detailing a different ingress point and placement for the food store on the premises, plus an expanded extent of gross internal area.
In response to the public consultation run by the council regarding the latest planning submission, a tally of 12 supportive comments emerged, against a mere duo of dissenting voices.
Supporters have argued that the proposed food store would create jobs and benefit residents of new build houses in the area, as well as reducing driving to similar stores further away and regenerating the area.
However, one objection came from a member of the public raising concerns about impacts on small local businesses, additional litter and increased traffic.
In addition, another objection was submitted on behalf of discount retailer chain Lidl raising technical concerns about the Aldi application and the new store's potential impact on Houghton-le-Spring town centre.
A statement on behalf of Lidl said a new "out-of-centre retail unit may further deter people away from visiting and shopping in the town centre" and could have "a significant adverse impact on [its] vitality".
Sunderland City Council planning officers, in a report prepared ahead of a decision-making meeting next week, have recommended Aldi's plans for approval.
It was noted that the plans were "in accordance with both local and national retail planning policy" and would "not appear to lead to a material loss of daylight or privacy for the occupiers of nearby land and buildings".
Furthermore, it was also argued that the "modern appearance of the proposed food store would integrate successfully within the context of modern housing and infrastructure".
This included the development's siting "within the context of recently constructed dwelling houses to the north and the under construction roundabout on Philadelphia Lane".
The committee report prepared for councillors has revealed that the new Aldi store is set to create approximately 40 jobs, with proposed opening times and delivery schedules detailed within.
The store is expected to operate from 8am-10pm, Monday through Sunday, and plans to manage "four heavy goods vehicles per day, on a 24/7 basis" for deliveries.
According to council documents, the supermarket will boast a total of 100 car parking spaces, which includes five accessible spots, nine parent and child bays, alongside four electric vehicle charging points and provisions for cycle parking.
The planning report highlights several benefits of the Aldi development, such as "enhancing consumer choice in a reasonably accessible location" and "remediating former industrial land and the provision of biodiversity net gain".
Further to this, the council committee report notes: "The benefits can also be given further weight given that the proposed development would contribute towards the [council's] low carbon framework and low carbon action plan."
"Officers therefore consider the minimal and less than substantial harm caused to the setting of a listed building (National Coal Board Central Garage) would be outweighed by the minor-moderate benefits arising from the proposed development".
The fate of the planning application lies in the hands of the Planning and Highways Committee members, who are scheduled to convene next on Monday, September 30.
This meeting is set to occur at 5.30pm at City Hall and will be accessible to members of the public.
For further details on the Aldi proposal or to follow its development, visit the Sunderland City Council's planning portal website and search for reference: 24/00358/FUL.