MP urges rejection of store plan

The discount supermarket has applied to build a new store on land next to Damon's restaurant in Sevenairs Road.

In November last year, Aldi's plans to build the supermarket on the same site were refused because it was considered that a preferable site was available at Waterthorpe Greenway, close to the Crystal Peaks bus interchange.

However, there is now doubt over whether Sheffield Council will allow development of that site, so city planners have recommended that the plans for the Sevenairs Road site – which are set to be considered on Monday –- should be given the go-ahead.

Aldi's proposals have proved unpopular with 85 locals, three ward councillors and Clive Betts MP, who have submitted their objections to the council.

Mr Betts said: "I opposed the previous application because I thought the site was inappropriate and I am opposed to the new application for similar reasons. I believe that there are significant traffic problems in the area. I am also far from convinced that the car park at Damon's is capable of handling cars from both the restaurant and an Aldi store at times such as Friday tea time, when both will be busy.

"Even more importantly, in some ways, I feel that the store will completely change the character of the area."

Mr Betts also pointed out that, even if the Waterthorpe Greenway site wasn't available, that didn't make the Sevenairs Road plans suitable and there are vacant units within the Crystal Peaks complex that Aldi could take over.

The Sheffield South East MP added: "The application should therefore be rejected, but with a clear indication given to Aldi that if they come back with a proposal to relocate a reconfigured plan within the Crystal Peaks complex they will be welcomed not merely by the council, but by the community at large."

Other objectors say that roads around the site are already congested, and if they were to become even busier then it could lead to people making detours through Beighton village.

Parking could overspill from Damon's car park on to surrounding

streets, opponents claim, and cause safety problems. While some objectors say they would welcome an Aldi store in principle, but not on that site, others claim there is no need for another supermarket in the area as there is already a Sainsbury's, an Iceland, a Morrisons, an Asda, a Netto at Manor Top and a planned Tesco at Halfway.

Four letters, meanwhile, have been submitted to Sheffield Council backing the plans, with supporters claiming the store would be convenient for those who don't have a car, and would create new jobs.

Aldi says the supermarket would provide 25 to 30 jobs for locals, as well as additional employment while the building was being constructed.

Recommending that councillors should grant consent for the new store, city planners say: "The construction of a food discount store will bring benefits to the area in that it will expand shopping choice, claw back expenditure, encourage linked trips, and reduce social exclusion.

"Although the network is congested at peak time the amount of traffic generated by the development would not have a significant impact on the highway network.

"Most of the time customer parking is likely to be accommodated on site, on the limited occasions when this is not the case, the overspill parking can be accommodated on street without significant detriment to traffic and pedestrian safety.

"It is concluded that there are no significant planning policy, access or design reasons for opposing this application."