Lidl unveils plans to demolish Black Country supermarket for bigger store

A supermarket chain has revealed plans to replace one of its Black Country stores. Lidl wants to demolish its store in Great Bridge and replace it with a larger supermarket and 101-space car park, under plans submitted to Sandwell Council.

The budget supermarket chain would build the new supermarket on a neighboring empty plot which was once home to an MOT and van sales garage. The supermarket chain has already received planning permission from Sandwell Council to demolish the store in Horseley Heath, Great Bridge, to double in size in 2018, but the work has never been carried out.

The supermarket would relocate and increase in size by around 500 square meters on the larger site, which also includes a 101-space car park with parent and child spaces and electric charging points. Lidl submitted a “screening notice” to Sandwell Council, which usually precedes a full planning application. Screening opinions determine whether developments require environmental impact studies before applications are submitted.

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A statement included in the application said: “The proposed development site, measuring approximately 2,199 acres, is located in Tipton, north west of Horseley Heath.

“The site comprises an existing Lidl grocery store and associated car park to the west of the site and unusual vacant land to the east. The character of the area around the location is mixed, with retail and commercial elements to the east and south, residential in all directions. Great Bridge Town Center and the Wednesbury regeneration area located on the opposite side of Horseley Heath.

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“The proposed development comprises a discount grocery store with a gross internal floor area of ​​2,185 square meters with a net salable area of ​​1,516 square meters. The development will include a total of 101 parking spaces, including seven for disabled people, nine for parents and children and two charging spaces for electric vehicles. The grocery store will be located to the north of the site, with a trolley bay located along the southern elevation and parking in the southern areas of the site. Access to the site will be taken from Horseley Heath.”

Store opening hours will remain the same 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.