Supermarket proposal thrown out by Blackpool planners

A supermarket operator has had its bid to demolish family homes to make way for a car park extension thrown out by town hall planners.
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Lidl had applied to Blackpool Council for permission to bulldoze two detached properties so it could add 17 extra parking spaces to its store in Anchorsholme.

But the application has been thrown out amid fears the scheme would damage the character of the area, while not enough evidence was put forward to prove the existing 81 spaces were insufficient to meet demand.

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Lidl was also criticised by planners for previously demolishing properties next to its Bloomfield Road store in South Shore, while failing to develop the land and leaving it an eyesore.

The properties which have been saved from demolitionThe properties which have been saved from demolition
The properties which have been saved from demolition

The retailer had sought permission to knock down houses at two Cherrywood Avenue and six Anchorsholme Lane West, both of which are occupied.

Setting out their decision, planners said Lidl should adopt measures, such as an ANPR (automated number plate recognition) system, to ensure the existing car park was only being used by its customers.

A report says “only after such an enforcement system has been in operation for some time and robust data can demonstrate that the car park is regularly at capacity” should the “demolition of family dwellings to provide additional car parking spaces be considered.”

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Lidl demolished three houses on Bloomfield Road after being granted planning permission in 2016 for a similar car park extension.

The report adds: “However the site remains an eyesore with hoardings all around and no sign of development on the site and there are concerns that this situation may be repeated.”

Anchorsholme ward councillor Tony Williams welcomed the decision to reject the application, which had attracted 27 objections.

He said: “Nobody I have talked to seems to think the car park is ever that busy.

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“This is a really good decision for residents and I’m delighted we have saved those houses.”

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