Plans for a bigger Aldi store in Oakham given the go-ahead by Rutland County Council

Plans for a large discount supermarket in Oakham were approved by members of Rutland County Council’s development control and licensing committee last night (Tuesday, February 16).

Planning permission for a new Aldi store in north-west Oakham, located by the roundabout junction of Lands’ End Way and the A606, was first granted by the council in October 2014.

But the food retailerthen returned with proposals to construct a store 20 per cent larger than the one it had permission for.

Aldi purchased additional land west of the original site to accommodate this 1,200 sqm store.

Planning officers recommended these proposals be approved and ,embers voted unanimously in favour of the application.

The decision is subject to a number of conditions, including completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure a financial contribution for improvements to Oakham town centre.

Portfolio holder for development at Rutland County Council Terry King (Con) said: “Aldi have had planning permission to build a new supermarket in Oakham since October 2014 but chose to submit plans for a larger store following this original decision. These revised plans have now been approved.

“The additional loss of land required for the larger structure is not felt to be significant, while there will be limited impact upon the vitality or viability of Oakham town centre provided conditions are met and a suitable financial contribution is made by the developer.”

An Aldi spokesman said: “Our plans represent a multi-million-pound investment that would create approximately 40 full and part-time jobs as well as improving choice and reducing the need for people to travel out of the town to complete their food shopping.”