Aldi planning blunder sorted

A long-awaited new Aldi store in Accrington is back on the starting blocks after councillors sorted out a planning conditions blunder.

The German discount supermarket chain originally proposed to build the new outlet across the road from an Asda and close to existing Lidl and Tesco in Hyndburn Road in August 2021.

The new store – to replace an ‘out-of-date’ branch in the town’s Argyle Street – was approved by Hyndburn Council Planning Committee in September 2023.

But it emerged that the formal decision notice approving the scheme on the vacant and fly-tipping plagued 1.5 acre site between Steiner Street, Portland Street and Fredrick Street missed out six of the conditions imposed by councillors.

After one of Aldi’s competitors pointed out the error a new planning application was considered by the committee when it met on Wednesday.

The application by landowner Barnfield Investment Properties and Aldi Stores Ltd was approved and reinstated the six conditions relating to access, off-site highway works and protecting the viability of nearby town centres permitting the long-delayed building work on the new store to start.

Hyndburn Council leader and Spring Hill ward’s Cllr Munsif Dad appeared before the committee to urge approval of the latest application and said local people were in favour of the new store but were losing faith in the planning process after it had taken so much time.

Borough environment boss Cllr Stewart Eaves said: “This site has been plagued by fly-tipping. It’s like a spot on mankind’s backside.

“This would be a big improvement.”

Altham ward’s Cllr Stephen Button said: “This has dragged on for so long.

“I would be pleased to see this site put to good use.”

A report by planning officer Adam Birkett told councillors: “Members may recall planning application 11/22/0057 which was brought before the Planning Committee for consideration on Wednesday September 6 2023.

“The officer report recommended that the application be approved subject to the applicant entering into a legal agreement and the planning conditions as set out in the report, of which there were 18.

“An update sheet was also presented at the meeting recommending the addition of a further six planning conditions to the decision notice (DN).

“Following this there was a delay of approximately nine months – owing to time taken to finalise the legal agreement – until the DN was finally issued.

” However, following issue of the DN an interested party brought to the attention of officers the fact that the six additional conditions had been omitted.

“The applicant intends to implement the modified permission such that the development would be subject to the six additional planning conditions. “