Clash over plans for food store next to famous chip restaurant

The proposed store would be built on a vacant brownfield site which was once an amusement arcade, now demolished.

Aldi wants permission for a single-storey store, with car parking space and an improved car parking facility for the adjacent fish restaurant.

The car park for the store will provide 72 spaces and the redeveloped car park for the restaurant will comprise 54 spaces, including one coach space.

The applicant, Aldi Stores Ltd and Stirling Investments, has stated that the car park will also be made available for people visiting the facilities at White Cross and will not be restricted unless any specific issues occur.

The plans have already been the subject of a public exhibition which took place in April at Guiseley Football and Cricket Club.

Aldi invited comments from members of the public and from the 118 responses 72 per cent supported the proposals, with 25 per cent objecting. Just over two per cent neither supported or objected.

Some local residents have pointed out that the site has been an “eyesore” in the past and want it to be put to better use.

A handful of objectors have claimed that Guiseley does not need another supermarket.

Others have expressed worries about increased traffic on the A65, one of the busiest routes into Leeds and Ilkley.

An objection on behalf of Morrisons has been sent to Leeds Council.

Morrisons said the application for an out-of-town food store did not satisfy planning guidelines. It also claimed the Aldi store would draw away trade from the centre of Guiseley, where Morrisons has a store.

Morrisons also claimed that Aldi had failed to look at alternative sites.

A planning report to be discussed by members of the plans panel west, which meets on Thursday, September 15, recommends that councillors should defer a decision and delegate approval to the chief planning officer subject to discussions about developer contributions towards public transport improvements.

The report says: “It is not considered that White Cross would become an alternative shopping centre to Guiseley town centre. Guiseley town centre would maintain its role as the destination for weekly shopping.”

It adds: “As for the impact, the applicant has demonstrated that there is capacity within the area for further retail convenience provision which would not harm the vitality and viability of town centres within the five minute catchment. The Leeds Retail Study also states that there is capacity in the area for further convenience provision.”

The report concludes that the Aldi store will improve the look of the area.

“The proposals will result in significant improvements to the street scene through provision of a quality building and local convenience shopping will be enhanced. The scheme will also provide improvements to the access and parking layout for the Harry Ramsden’s restaurant.

“The impact assessment undertaken has established that the proposals are unlikely to have any effect on the town centres of Guiseley or Yeadon.

“These centres are trading well; the nature of an Aldi store and the levels of turnover associated are unlikely to alter existing trading patterns to any significant extent.”

Councillors will also consider outline plans for 98 homes at Netherfield Mills, Guiseley, next Thursday.

Planning officers are recommending granting approval, subject to developer contributions to various local improvements.

In March the developer won an appeal and full costs from the council, which had earlier rejected the 98 homes plan.

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