Lidl demolition of former art college brings complaints from residents

Concerns about traffic, dust and even one house shaking have all been raised by residents who have mixed views about a new Lidl store on Green Lane in Linthorpe, near Middlesbrough. One person who is strongly opposed to the supermarket is 80-year-old former Linthorpe councillor Jackie Elder.

She believes the plans are “preposterous” and is frustrated that more consultation has not been held before the old Northern School of Art site was flattened.

“We were not told the demolition was going to go ahead until they knocked it down,” she said. She believes a public meeting should have been held so that residents could share their views with the council and the supermarket chain.

The supermarket has contacted 18,000 households to set out its proposals. The plans are for a newly-built store, a 98-space car park, vehicle access from Green Lane and Roman Road, and significant investment into new trees at the site.

The former councillor, who lived in her current home on Orchard Road for 44 years, is concerned the number of homes contacted by the supermarket chain will dilute the views of those who live closest to the proposed new store. Lidl sparked controversy when it felled trees at the site at the end of last year, soon after buying the land.

Jackie said: “We are very very proud of our area, we loved all the trees there, particularly that willow tree [that was cut down]. I normally don’t have anything against any particular shop but I think the way they have carried on is appalling.

“The whole thing is preposterous because we have four shopping precincts within a mile and a half radius of here. There’s also a massive Lidl at Canon Park which is a five-minute drive so why do we need another Lidl.

“This is a very busy traffic area from all of the traffic coming up from town and coming across to go to Acklam, as well as the traffic going down Green Lane to the James Cook hospital. It’s a very busy route and there are masses of children walking around here to go to school.”

She is also frustrated that the council has not been more involved and consulted residents. While Lidl did notify the council in December 2021 of its intention to demolish the building, it did not need planning permission.

The council is not able to consult residents on a planning issue until a planning application has been submitted and registered. This will need to happen before any new store is built and people will then be able to submit their thoughts to the council. It is highly likely this issue will be heard by the local authority’s planning committee.

The site is not in the Linthorpe conservation area, but it is just on the other side of the boundary. Lidl has submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) screening opinion request to the council to see whether it will need an EIA to proceed. This is required for projects that could have a significant impact on the environment.

The residents we spoke to that lived closest to the demolition site all agreed that there was too much dust coming from the work. Sofia Hussain, 32, said: “I don’t like all of the dust that’s coming in. My car is dusty, my front porch is dusty and when I open the windows I feel like I am inhaling all of the dust.

“I definitely don’t want a Lidl. Personally, I wouldn’t like anything there. But if there is something, a leisure centre would be good. I take my daughter all the way across to the Neptune Centre to go swimming so I’d like to see something for youths.”

Another resident is also not happy with the dust levels as it means they can’t take their child into the fresh air in the garden to play. They said: “You can’t come outside. My daughter is disabled and I can’t bring her in the garden, it’s too much.” They went on to add: “I am not happy. Our home is shaking and I’m a bit worried about what it’s doing to our house.”

One resident is frustrated with the noise but is not against a new supermarket. She said: “It’s really loud and it feels like the house is shaking. It feels like it’s going on for ages. I don’t mind a Lidl, it’s just the traffic.

“When it was a college there was loads of traffic. I don’t mind that it’s a Lidl though, especially if it’s bringing new jobs and opportunity to the area.”

Doug also said that the dust was annoying but he isn’t bothered about whether it’s a Lidl. He said: “Everyone walks past and stays about ten and 15 minutes to have a look at it [demolition] and I like to look at it. The only thing is the noise in the daytime and the dust on car and windows.

“If there is going to be a Lidl, so be it. Whatever gets built people will whinge. It’s an eyesore at the moment, but the derelict building was an eyesore. I think judging by the plans, it’ll be an improvement.”

A Lidl GB spokesperson said: “A new Lidl store in Linthorpe would offer local people convenient access to high quality and affordable products at a time when household budgets are under increasing pressure.

“The proposals have received a positive response from our recent and widespread community consultation, and we look forward to working with Middlesbrough Council during the forthcoming planning process.

“A demolition team has been on-site for some weeks now and are working hard to minimise any impacts for neighbouring residents as they complete their works. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience and continued support whilst we progress with our store proposals.”