A SUPERMARKET - which dramatically pulled its bid to build a new store at the last minute before Christmas - has announced it will re-submit its plan to Barnsley Council.
Lidl submitted plans for a new store on Sheffield Road, off the Birdwell roundabout, with a proposed new access off Cross Keys Lane.
A planning board meeting - scheduled for December 20 - was cancelled after the German retailer announced it was pulling out of the plan.
However, despite objections being lodged by both councillors and residents, Lidl now look set to re-do its application, with a spokesperson confirming the extra time will allow them to ‘consider’ comments put forward.
The spokesperson added: “We remain committed to bringing a Lidl store to Hoyland, and can confirm that we intend to resubmit our planning application in the new year, allowing time to work through further comments from Barnsley Council.
“We strongly believe that a new Lidl store would greatly benefit the community by providing access to high quality, affordable produce and helping to improve shopping choice for local residents.
“It would also provide significant investment in the area, along with new jobs benefiting from the highest pay rates in the industry.”
The store was set to be single-storey in height and accessible via Cross Keys Lane.
Prior consultation to the amended plans saw a total of 24 responses received by email.
Of those, only four were in support and 17 objected to the plans, including Tankersley Parish Council and Coun Chris Lamb, who represents the Rockingham ward.
The main concerns raised around the development saw traffic generation on the already-busy road network, as well as there already been sufficient retail provision due to an Aldi, Morrisons, Co-op and Tesco all within a short distance of the site.
Residents also raised concerns about noise, disturbance and air pollution from delivery lorries; loss of greenspace, impact on house prices and possible impact on the Cross Keys pub.
Coun Lamb added: “It is on public record that I submitted an objection to the original plans expressing a number of concerns, along with my councillor colleague, the late Jim Andrews.
“Our objections were based on valid reasons for refusal, including highway safety, congestion, pollution - both noise and light - and residential amenity, given the proximity of the site to the rear of the existing properties on Regent Court.
“From the documents that were to be considered by the planning regulatory board, I concluded that there were still nine valid reasons for refusal, and so my objections, on behalf of local residents also remained.
“At the 11th hour Lidl, or their representatives, advised that they wished to withdraw the application.
“Lidl are free to put in a new application at any time they choose and the whole process of consultation would start again.
“Should that happen at any point I can’t state what my position would be as that depends on the views of local residents and crucially if there are any valid reasons for refusal.”
