Controversial plans to build a new Lidl supermarket on land beside Bath RFC’s Lambridge training ground on the London Road in Bath have been submitted to B&NES Council.
How the new Lidl store could look | Photo © Lidl GB
The submission comes after a number of drop-in sessions with the local community, stakeholders and councillors.
A public consultation leaflet was also delivered to over 13,000 local properties, which Lidl says generated a “significant” number of responses.
Those in favour of a Lidl on this site welcomed the benefits of having another food store on the eastern side of Bath, with comments highlighting that it is “very much needed”.
Consultees stated that they are currently having to travel across Bath or out of the city completely to access a discount food store.
Comments were also made about the need to increase shopping choice, the creation of new jobs, and the design and consideration of local heritage and environment shown in the proposals.
A view of the proposed store | Photo © Lidl GB
Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Glen Stidever, said: “This planning submission follows a detailed and sustained piece of proactive engagement with the community, local heritage and architectural stakeholders, as well as local businesses.
“We are grateful for the significant number of responses we have received for this site and strongly believe our planning application also carefully addresses considerations including biodiversity, heritage, highways and local businesses.”
Danny Sacco, President of Bath RFC said: “This development provides a once in a generation chance to secure the long-term future of the amateur club at Lambridge, our historical home.
“It will enable us to make much needed upgrades to our facilities and ensure that we continue to invest in the next generation of junior, girls and ladies rugby players in the city.
“The relationships between the amateur and professional clubs has never been stronger.”
If approved, the multi-million-pound development would create up to 40 new jobs.
The proposed development would provide significant investment into Bath RFC, securing the amateur club’s long-term future at Lambridge.
The proposals feature a bespoke store design, drawn up by local Bath architects, Mitchell Eley Gould, and informed by the Design West Review Panel of architects, as well as engagement with organisations such as Bath Preservation Trust, Historic England and the National Trust.
The scheme includes a Bath rubble stone wall set back behind a landscaped frontage which shields the store from London Road.
The plans also accommodate existing and new trees and habitat features such as bee towers, bird baths, a habitat wall, and a wetland area.
Surveys have been undertaken to ensure the preservation of key existing habitats around the site, and Lidl’s proposals are expected to secure a biodiversity net gain in excess of 40%.
The proposals include tree and hedge planting, natural above-ground drainage systems (SUDS) and a living green store roof.
The plans also feature solar panels, air source heat pumps, a heat recovery system to re-use expelled heat from refrigeration units, as well as rapid electric vehicle charging spaces in the car park.
Glen Stidever, continued: “We fully recognise the special qualities of the local area and have worked hard to develop suitable proposals, benefiting from engagement with local heritage and architectural experts to inform this exemplar store design.
“We believe that this work means that we have put together a very compelling case for a new store on this site.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has participated in the consultation process, and we look forward to working with B&NES Council as the planning application progresses.”
