A SUPERMARKET giant is pressing ahead with plans to demolish an Audenshaw restaurant and build a new store in its place.
And documents backing Lidl’s scheme believe it can actually reduce the impact on the riads.
Councillors in the town had previously spoken of their opposition to the proposal at The Pearl, on Manchester Road, by The Trough junction.
But Lidl has lodged an outline planning application with Tameside Council to place a store there when the current lease expires in 2029.
As well as a near 2,000 square metre building, there will be 88 car parking spaces, including six for disabled customers, nine parent and child and two for electric vehicle charging.
Tameside Council gave the go ahead to a prior approval application to demolish the current structure, now this outline application is the next stage before a detailed full one.
Audenshaw Councillors Teresa Smith and Nick Axford came out against the proposal.
They said: “As we have previously stated, we will be opposing these plans when they are put forward, on the basis of the impact of The Pearl, the impact on local traffic on Manchester and the impact on local residents.
“The Planning Officers are aware of these concerns, and that this is being proposed for an area not within a defined town centre.
“We have spoken to The Pearl regarding their plans, they have stated that they wish to remain in business at this site, and we will be supporting them in this.”
However, documents supporting the application have given an opposing view on the traffic impact.
They state: “Our investigations have confirmed that the impact of Lidl’s proposals is de minimis and that there is no evidence of any unacceptable impact on highway safety, or of any residual cumulative impact on the road network that might be considered to be severe.
“New food stores do not generate new trips by private car; they merely redistribute existing food retail trips that are already being made as customers seek to minimise their travel costs.
“For customers that are already car-borne, the store’s location close to an already well-trafficked corridor will ensure that the re-distribution of such movements is localised
“More discount food retail choice for existing and new Audenshaw residents will reduce the distance that car-borne customers need to travel to undertake their bulk-food shop, thereby also reducing total vehicle mileage on the road network.”
The layout is also praised, with documents adding: “The scheme has been well designed, will add activity, natural surveillance and incorporate crime prevention measures and generate retail business in the area.
“The site layout has been designed to be attractive to pedestrians and cyclists who reside within easy walking and cycling distance of the store, whether they are staff or customers.”
If permission is granted, the closest Lidl stores to this site would be in Ashton-under-Lyne, Denton and Openshaw.
Lidl’s proposal reads: “Lidl GB would like to deliver a new, modern discount foodstore at The Pearl Indian restaurant site off Manchester Road in Audenshaw.
“A new Lidl foodstore at this site would increase shopping choice, provide Lidl’s affordable and high-quality products, and create up to 40 new local jobs.
“The Pearl restaurant’s lease will end in 2029. Lidl is therefore proposing an Outline planning application to agree site access, landscaping and layout.”
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee, or officers, will decide whether to grant or refuse permission.