Objectors face defeat in fight over new store

The 4m development will transform the redundant North Wold Printers site and old Bonds car garage into an Aldi store with over 1000 sq m of retail space, creating around 15 new jobs.

Planners are recommending that the application is approved at a meeting on Thursday.

The town council says the store's design won't blend in with the surrounding conservation area. But several dozen local people have written letters of support, saying it will provide more choice closer to home.

Aldi says half of its trade will come from stores outside Pocklington, with the local Sainsbury's losing 7.4 per cent to the new store and the Co-operative, formerly Somerfield, 4.2 per cent.

The town council says it still doesn't like the "modern square building type" and one objector described the "flat roof and gaudy plastic fascias" as being "completely unsuitable".

However, some of those who have written in support say the site itself will became an eyesore if it is not developed.

Planners say the design is acceptable, bringing a brownfield site back into use.

Meanwhile, an application by Sainsbury's to extend its premises has been delayed.

The store, which is opposite Aldi's proposed site, could see around 5,000 sq ft of extra sales space, an enlarged car park, a larger customer entrance lobby and a new shop-front canopy. It hopes the move will create up to 40 new jobs.

Germany-based Aldi has 4,100 stores in its home country and 7,600 worldwide. The name stands for ALbrecht-DIscount – Albrecht being the names of the two brothers who came up with the idea of discount shops in Germany in 1946.