Plans for a new Lidl supermarket on the outskirts of Gloucester have been officially approved. The borough planners gave the green light on Tuesday for the development of the store at Gloucester Business Park in Brockworth.
The proposed store will cover 1,975 square meters and feature 118 parking spaces, including 12 parent-and-child spots, seven accessible bays, six electric vehicle charging points, and cycle parking facilities. This development is expected to create up to 40 new jobs, with opening hours set from 7 am to 10 pm Monday through Saturday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays.
Rosie Meehan, Lidl Great Britain’s regional head of property, addressed the Tewkesbury Borough Council’s planning committee, emphasizing the importance of the project. She noted that the site has remained unused for over 30 years despite previous permissions and marketing efforts aimed at employment use. According to Meehan, the site’s constrained nature limited its viability for conventional employment development, making the Lidl proposal a sustainable and productive alternative.
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Local councillors raised several points during the discussion. Councillor Mary Jordan suggested that biodiversity improvements linked to the development should be implemented locally. Officers responded that such enhancements could be applied elsewhere, with some possibility of them occurring in Malvern, subject to a formal approval process. Councillor Matt Dimond-Brown supported local biodiversity efforts and highlighted concerns from Brockworth and Hucclecote parish councils about bus services, noting that current plans only include upgraded bus shelters and real-time information rather than improved service levels.
Highways officers explained that while Gloucester Business Park is unadopted, regular bus services do operate nearby, with the closest stop north of the Lidl site near Tesco, which currently has a bus shelter. Councillor Mel Gore underlined the importance of ensuring adequate electric vehicle charging points for customers as part of the development.
Following these discussions, the committee voted unanimously to approve the Lidl supermarket plans, with delegated permission granted in line with officer recommendations. This new development marks a significant advancement for Brockworth, promising economic benefits and forward-looking infrastructure.