Aldi submits plans to extend Blyth supermarket

Aldi wants to increase the size of its Cowpen Road store.

It is proposed that the extension will extend the entire length of the store frontage, increasing the width of the sales area by approximately 8m.

However, the proposal would reduce the number of parking spaces from 186 to 157, with eight EV spaces added.

A planning report on Aldi’s behalf states: “Careful consideration has been given to the site layout and the impact of the extension on the operation of the car park and arrival experience.

"The extension itself covers the full length of the front elevation and provides a new entrance lobby and canopy, with an architectural design which is considerate in form and scale.

“It is considered that the extension of the existing store will have no adverse effect upon the site and its surroundings, nor have any impact on the residential amenity of the surrounding properties.

"The scale and massing of the extension is consistent with the current form, scale and appearance, whilst improving the operation of the food store for its customers.”

The extension to the food store would not alter the operation of the site and access arrangements. Pedestrian access would be retained from Cowpen Road, whilst servicing arrangements would be retained from the access to the north.

Car parking would remain in the same configuration and re-lined to suit the new extension.

A transport study on Aldi’s behalf claims that car park surveys undertaken in November demonstrate this has sufficient capacity to accommodate the reduction in spaces.

InPost parcel lockers are also proposed.