Green light for Lidl supermarket as new Scunthorpe retail park to create 40 jobs

Plans for a new retail park which will include Scunthorpe’s second Lidl supermarket have been given the go-ahead by councillors.The project has been approved for the site of the former Yorkshire Electricity depot on Dudley Road, off the Queensway.As well as a Lidl store, the scheme will also include a second unit, which is expected to be filled by a discount retailer.It is hoped the shops would create at least 40 jobs.The scheme was discussed by North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee at a meeting yesterday, which followed a site visit by committee members.The plans had originally been on track to be approved in December, but were deferred for the site visit.At yesterday’s meeting, Councillor Mick Grant said the visit had satisifed his concerns that Bellingham Road would become a rat run, particuarly with an off-road bus stop added to the Queensway.According to material submitted with the planning application by Lidl and St Modwen Properties, bargain retailers that could be attracted for the second retail include B&M and Poundland.Home Bargains was initially also considered as a prospect, but has now announced it will move into Homebase’s former premises across the Queensway at the Lakeside Retail Park.The Lidl supermarket, which adds to an existing store run by the German-owned discount food retailer on Doncaster Road in Scunthorpe, will cover an area of 23,700 square foot and is to boast facilities including an in-store bakery, customer toilets and parking for bicycles.A total of 218 car parking spaces will also be created at the new retail park.Several attempts to convert the brownfield site into housing have been attempted over the years but failed to gain planning permission.During public consultations, residents broadly approved of the retail park plan as they believed it would “create jobs and provide added value to the town” and also help to regenerate the area.However, concerns were raised about the potential for increased traffic on nearby Bellingham Road.Councillors on the planning committee approved the application unanimously.