Plans for a new Aldi supermarket and a Costa Coffee drive-thru in Bourton-on-the-Water have been approved, marking a significant development in one of Gloucestershire’s busiest tourist hotspots. The proposal received the green light from the Cotswold District Council despite an ongoing debate over the effects of heavy tourism in the village.
Over recent months, tensions have risen as some residents expressed difficulties accessing and enjoying their village centre, raising concerns about facilities catering more to visitors than locals. In this context, Aldi has emphasised that its supermarket, to be located at Bourton Industrial Park, will serve the local community by offering greater access to affordable, high-quality food close to home.
The investment is projected to exceed £7 million, creating up to 60 jobs, as well as additional employment during the construction phase and through the supply chain. The district council’s planning committee granted approval at a meeting on 9 September, despite reservations regarding potential issues such as traffic congestion, littering, and competition with existing local businesses, particularly relating to the Costa Coffee element.
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The development, brought forward in partnership with landowner John Hacklings Holdings Ltd and development manager Hinton Group, includes comprehensive amenities. These feature 127 parking spaces-comprising accessible and parent-and-child bays-ten electric vehicle charging points with capacity for future expansion, and landscaped areas throughout the site.
Aldi reported strong public support during the planning process, highlighting local demand for expanded food retail options and investment in the village’s infrastructure. However, Tesco, which operates a supermarket in nearby Stow-on-the-Wold, lodged an objection.
According to a council report, the proposed site is a grassed field on the northern edge of the village, already designated in the local plan as an employment site. The consultation phase resulted in approximately eight objections, but notably, 158 supportive comments were received.
Some objections centred on environmental concerns, with one local commenting that increased tourism already causes excessive litter, which a Costa Coffee outlet could worsen. Concerns were also raised about the impact of national chains on local, independently owned hospitality businesses. Conversely, several supporters stressed that the current food options, such as the pricier Co-Op, primarily cater to tourists, leaving residents with limited affordable choices.
Rob Jones, Aldi’s Real Estate Director, said: “We’re delighted that planning permission has been granted for our new Aldi store and Costa Coffee drive-thru in Bourton-on-the-Water. This approval marks an important milestone for the project and will enable us to bring increased choice, convenience, and investment to the local area. The development will create up to 60 new jobs and provide residents with greater access to affordable, high-quality food closer to home. We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to engage with the proposals and support the plans throughout the planning process.”