Plans to build discount store at former mill site set for approval

Supermarket company Aldi UK has submitted plans for a store at the former Springfield Mills site in Stanningley Road, Bramley, Leeds.

The derelict buildings on the site were demolished in anticipation of the redevelopment

The site is contentious because it is mainly residential and the creation of a supermarket could have a negative impact on shopping facilities in Bramley itself.

A report by planning officers concludes that the proposed Aldi will not harm the viability or vitality of Bramley town centre.

The report states: “The existing shopping centre is anchored by a Tesco store which is over-trading, according to Retail Impact Assessment which has been devised and submitted in support for another planning application for a new supermarket in Kirkstall.”

The report says that it is not considered that the proposed Aldi store would attract people away from the facilities at Bramley Shopping Centre.

“Aldi is essentially a specialist retailer which sells a limited range of basic food items,” the report adds.

“Aldi does not offer a ‘one-stop shopping experience’, as items such as lottery, tobacco, newspaper and branded products are not available.

“Therefore the customer will still need to visit other stores to gain access to these products.”

The proximity of residential properties will mean that many people will visit Aldi on foot, the council report adds.

“This would lessen the demand for car travel to the proposal. The letters of support received support the assertion that a large percentage of future customers would travel to the premises by foot.”

The site lies within the Bramley ward, where the percentage of people not owning a car or van is 40 per cent, compared with 34 per cent in Leeds and 26 per cent in England.

The council’s planning department believes that the proposed store will “improve social inclusion and accessibility to a foodstore. This is considered to be a benefit of the scheme, which outweighs any harm caused by the fact that the site does not lie within an allocated town centre.”

A proposed agreement could be put in place to ensure the site is only occupied by a discount food retailer, to ensure in the future it does not result in an out of centre retail store selling electrical items or clothing, etc.

Although the proposed Aldi lies within a residential area, planners say the store’s design will fit in.

“The form of the building, and that fact it is only single storey in height means it will have a far less dominant impact on adjacent occupiers when compared to the previous mill building.

“The scale of this proposal is considered is considered to be in keeping with the residential character of this locality.”

Between 20 and 30 jobs will be created by the store, according to Aldi, with up to 100 more positions being supported during the construction phase.

The council is in talks with Aldi to ensure the promotion of positions of employment for local residents.

Over 100 letters of support for the scheme have been sent to the council, although these were sent by Aldi to residents, who forwarded them on.

Only one person objected to the plans.

The report concludes: “Although the proposal does constitute out of centre retail development, given the unavailability of other more ‘central’ sites and the benefits of providing a new discount retailer in this location, redeveloping a vacant site and providing new jobs, whilst providing an increase in retail space and competition, the proposal is on balance considered to be acceptable.”

Members of the plans panel west will discuss the planning application at a meeting on Thursday.