South Kesteven District Council approves plans for new supermarket in Market Deeping, thought to be Aldi

Plans for a new town centre discount supermarket have been given the go-ahead.

A supermarket giant sought permission from South Kesteven District Council to demolish a petrol station in Godsey Lane, Market Deeping so that a new retail foodstore can be built.

The application submitted to the council did not name a supermarket specifically, however, Aldi last year launched a consultation on proposals for a new store on the site.

At a planning committee meeting this afternoon (Thursday, April 27) the applicant was referred to a number of times as Aldi.

Aldi's plans were initially for a site on the edge of town, however a Godsey Lane plot became available which the supermarket chain hopes to build on as part of an initiative to improve the town centre.

The latest plans for the site would create 40 new jobs and include 128 parking spaces, with four electric vehicle charging points.

Among those who have lodged an objection is rival supermarket Lidl.

Plans for a new out-of-town Lidl were rejected last May as councillors eyed up the potential for Aldi to go in a preferred town centre location.

Lidl had hoped to build its store on land off Peterborough Road about 2.5km from the town centre despite pleas to reconsider from traders over fears it would draw shoppers further away from town.

Currently there is a Tesco superstore on the outskirts of Market Deeping and a smaller convenience Co-op foodstore in Horsegate.

Coun Virginia Moran (Alliance SK) and Coun Ashley Baxter (Alliance SK), who represent Market and West Deeping, have been leading a campaign for a big town centre supermarket for the past two years.

At the meeting they spoke in support of the latest plans as it would provide more choice in the area, particularly for those who don’t drive, and the town centre location would bring more footfall.

Christina Weguelin, asset manager at The Deeping Centre, also told the council it would be a ‘win-win’ for the town.

However not everyone was in support with neighbour James Hudson believing that a smaller supermarket would be ‘much better’.

In a written statement he said: “The building is oppressive and out of character with current neighbours.”

But councillors were won over by the mystery applicant’s proposition and the plans were approved.

As part of being given the go-ahead, the supermarket will be asked to create a car park management plan which would include up to four hours of parking and free spaces for people currently using the site for parking.