New Blackpool Aldi gets the go ahead

The council’s planning committee approved an application in principle by the retailer enabling it to take over a site off Holyoake Avenue in Bispham previously occupied by B&Q and more recently by Poundstretcher.

Final approval will be delegated to the head of development management – with questions still to be resolved over delivery hours at the new store which will be the fourth Aldi in the town.

Aldi had already revealed it would pay £30,000 to upgrade the busy junction with Bispham Road, Plymouth Road, and Warbreck Hill Road after a number of residents had backed the idea of having a supermarket but voiced concerns about the impact on traffic.

Greenlands ward councillor Rick Scott told the meeting residents welcomed the scheme.

He said: “Some people feared the property would be left empty and could become a focus for anti-social behaviour.

“It is on a local bus route and the business won’t just benefit the residents of Greenlands but also neighbouring wards.”

Coun Scott added the £30,000 investment in highways improvements “will alleviate fears of local residents” in regard to traffic flow.

But a request by the applicant to increase delivery hours to 11pm at night on Sundays, from 6pm as laid down in the original conditions, raised concerns.

Matthew Sobic, representing Aldi at the meeting, said the previous operators had had 24-hour permission to make deliveries.

Councillors said they would ask officers to reinspect the condition prior to final approval being given.

The permission will allow the construction of a side storey extension, external alterations and changes to the car park.

The car park, which currently has two combined exits and entrances, will be overhauled to make it safer for pedestrians, and traffic will only be allowed to drive out from the farthest exit from the junction.

The other access road – closest to the lights – would be an entrance only.