Town centre supermarket plan set to win councillors' approval

Discount retailer Lidl has applied to build a new single-storey supermarket with 130 parking spaces on the site of the former Co-op Pioneer shop in Peel Street, which would involve demolishing the two-storey car park currently there.

The application has won 11 letters of support to Barnsley Council from residents, welcoming the development in an area currently described as an "eyesore."

Walsingham Planning, which has submitted the application on behalf of Lidl, said that the store could create between 20 and 25 new jobs.

They said: "This includes five full-time staff, including a manager and deputies. Part-time staff can be contracted to work between three and 10 hours a day, which offers flexibility, allowing - for example - single parents and students the opportunity to work in store.

"Lidl has a policy of employing local people from all backgrounds to work in their stores. This allows for a short commute to work and for staff to potentially work at short notice."

The consultants added that there were no other similar supermarkets in Barnsley town centre, and said: "Lidl is a deep discounter attracting a certain type of customer. There are no other deep discount stores in the immediate area.

"Lidl, while offering additional choice, which will benefit the vitality and viability of the town centre, will not be so significant as to substantially increase the attraction of Barnsley town centre to the extent that other centres elsewhere will be impacted.

"The nearest deep discount store to Barnsley is Netto at Monk Bretton, which lies three miles outside of Barnsley town centre."

A spokesman for Barnsley Civic Trust welcomed Lidl's plans and said that the site is currently "under-utilised and unattractive."

"This development offers the opportunity to bring investment and environmental improvements to the area," they added.

"A piece of artwork and use of stone would elevate the scheme."

Residents have also written to Barnsley Council saying that the new supermarket would "bring people back into the area" and provide a "convenient store for people living on the edge of the town centre."

Other supporters have said that Lidl could also act as a catalyst for further development in the area.

Just one letter of objection has been submitted in relation to the application – claiming that access to the new store should be located further along Peel Street.

Town planners have recommended councillors approve the scheme tomorrow.

They say that Lidl has "engaged positively" with the council and has already altered some design aspects of the plans, such as increasing the height of the supermarket to give "more presence."

"More thought has been given to integrating the scheme with town centre pedestrian routes, in particular a walkway is provided between Peel Street and West Way, across the front of the buildings," their report says.

"Two ground floor retail units will also be created, with shop fronts and entrances directly onto Peel Street. The Lidl store entrance will also face Peel Street, albeit set back into the site. This will extend the shopping street and provide interest to passers-by.

"The scheme incorporates 'public art' in the form of an architectural lighting scheme which leads to a pathway of illuminated arches forming a pedestrian axis across the site.

"The proposals are of good design and will improve the appearance of an important gateway site to the town centre."